I thought I was the only one to get Meteor Garden vibes from this drama. 😂 Yeah, the lead male was the main draw for me as well, but I couldn’t finish the drama either. Watched until their 20th fight and then just skimmed for a few key scenes. I was surprised (and blushing yet still peeking from behind my hands) at the risqué scenes in this - tame by Hollywood standards but pretty bold by Cdrama ones. When he undid his belt and reminded her that she was a concubine, I thought my face was going to go up in flames. Is it bad that I found it sexy? I blame my adolescent addiction to romance novels. ☺️ As for their constant fighting, it wasn’t the misunderstandings that killed it for me but rather that they all seemed to stem from an illogical setup, which really made the FL look stupid. Yes, let me repair your tassel and admit I need this job to save my family and then stomp on your foot and insult you because there’s no way you could just fire me, and even if you did, I’d probably still blame you for being unreasonable. Yes, let me show no remorse for hurting you and lying to you and then declare my feelings in the next breath - this from both of these nut jobs. 🙄

Nut jobs 😂

You tell me of a risqué scene but you don’t tell me the episode number ☹️ I do a Ctrl+F and I still can’t find belt 😔 Did I watch this scene or not. Hmmmmmmmm.

(Btw, sorry this was automatically in spam without my consent. Disqus ✊)

Thanks for the recap, because I almost went to watch this. I really do like the main two leads but even the storyline felt a bit off. Contract marriage in those times doesn't bode well for the woman afterwards.

These two have a second chance to redeem themselves as a couple 😤 (don’t fail me! 🥺) https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

How do you even stay on top of this? If YouTube doesn't recommend it to me (or you post it from your blog), there's no way I would know a new drama came out. But yes, looking forward to this! They're both good kissers, so I expect more realistic kissing scenes than period dramas.

Thanks for the recap! I had to skip quite a few episodes. I found the FL annoying - didn’t like her look plus her voice was highly irritating. I only managed to trudge on cos of Joseph Zeng. It’s a shame that their characters and relationship remain childish for most of the drama. I hate watching dramas with misunderstandings. Extremely frustrating. I prefer dramas where the couple faces and solves problems together. Also the costumes also need some work - FL’s look didn’t change from being single to married and she basically looks like a maid even though she was the concubine of a Prince. I thought Joseph Zeng did a pretty good job for someone so young. I’ve watched other dramas where the ML is v young and they just lack credibility to portraying a man to me lol. Thanks again for the recaps - my fav parts are your comments interspersed in it

You are most welcome. I'm still not sure why I watched the entire show - I guess it wasn't quite bad enough to drive me away but it's not one I recommend either. I kind of feel bad for the actors because I think the biggest problem is the script which stuck them with terrible roles.

I'm going to give you a suggestion, Cyn-Lynn - Lost Romance.

It's Taiwanese so I know it's not your usual type but I've been watching it on Rakuten Viki and I keep laughing. It's basically a show mocking the domineering CEO romantic tropes. My only complaint so far has been that each hour long episode is broken up two or three times for some reason. I just fast forward through but that parts a little distracting. (They keep doing the ending song but they don't do the opening bit so it's not that terrible - just annoying.)

Still, the humor is right up your alley, I think.

Ou, a Taiwanese drama, it's been so long! It's not that I don't like them, well maybe, for the longest time I couldn't find one I liked and so I just gave up. No hard feelings if I don't end up liking it! :D but I am eager to try this one

You might find yourself fast forwarding the business world scheming - I do. But I've really liked the rest of it a lot. (Except for those breaks that they do. Maybe that's for commercials?)

“ You might find yourself fast forwarding the business world scheming”

Bingo. Like Ep1.

I’m at Ep3, there’s this car scene and he’s looking like a hunk, so flamboyant and so ridiculous. I am now hooked xD

I knew you would be (hooked). I'm on the last episode but I'm watching that tomorrow because I'm tired. I did a lot of fast forwarding but every scene with the two of them was a keeper. I'm glad it's a fairly short drama - no mid-show slump for me.

And he's a hunk the entire show. I feel like a pedophile since I'm sure I'm old enough to be his mother but -- well, when you get to the part where she blames him for her peeking in on him in the shower she says what I think. lol

I watched the shower part~ Girl only speaks the truth xD. Situ Aoran doesn’t know how to be angry after being yelled at by those compliments, hahaha.

I also laughed a lot at the scene where Chuchu screams at being hurt and it turns out to be the size of a needle prick. So meta. The mystery part is intriguing too. What is the real story between them? (please don’t answer, lol)

I won't spoiler anything - although I will share that the answer to what's between them takes a long, long time to be revealed.

Also, I felt sorry for the actress who played Chuchu. Chuchu is such a wet rag of a character she made me nauseous.

I finished the show and I liked it the entire way through. There were redemption arcs that were actually believable too! Well, beginnings of redemption at least.

I’m on Ep9 and I find it so interesting Qingfeng has the introspection that he’s a character in a story. You’re right about those commercial breaks. So much repetition.

I thought Chu Chu was supposed to be a nauseating character xD (in the book world) or does she worsen?

I saw the airing time for this drama which spans five months. How do people watch the same (asian) drama for this long o___o. I also missed my boat on recapping this. When something is complete, I have to urge to watch everything without slowing down :D

She IS supposed to be a nauseating character and the actress does a great job with her - I just feel sorry with her being stuck with such a horrible role. She does it well, though. I didn't notice that she was in both the real world and the novel world at first but she's almost the same person in both.

Qingfeng is another mystery. I don't know if you've seen the "flames" on him but that had me wondering for ages if there was a trope I didn't understand. I never knew if Xiaoen saw them or not but I think only we get to see them - and wonder about them. They do finally get explained.

The series was so short - how did they drag it out for five months?!?

I'm sad you didn't recap it either - but at least we found it. XD

I’m done ep19! One more to go~ I would have finished earlier if there hadn’t been so many new dramas! I just can’t resist trying new things !

& Correction: you found the drama for me :D and I really like it. It’s silly, funny, romantic, mysterious, and when it turns serious, it’s not too heavy/angsty. Also, the makeout scene in Ep13, wow, are taiwanese dramas all like that nowadays? xD

The flames - I think Qiaoen noticed it when Qingfeng asked her to ditch Situ Aoren. I thought it was really cool how the flames are from the author burning his incomplete story. It’s the saddest thing for a character, eh, to not have an ending.

I agree - as an writer I feel responsible for my characters - it's wrong to leave them hanging indefinitely. (Yes, I'm looking at you George something something Martin.) It made me happy that Xiaoen followed through on her promise to Qingfeng. I'm even happier you liked the drama too. XD

I’m laughing way too much at your George something something Martin comment. XD. I remember getting really impatient for Game of Thrones but there was nothing I could do about it because the book wasn’t done either and still not done and might not ever be done.

Fortunately for me, I tried his first two books and decided to give up on the entire story. I'm not fond of books where everyone gets killed off in new and inventive ways. lol

Some speculation: I think the person Shen Brother took Congwen to see was Congwen's father. I believe it was to let them say goodbye and forgive each other. Congwen was a scholar in part because he hated his father's politics and given that Xu's politics were evil, that was pretty noble of Congwen in my opinion. So I hope it was his father they met and I hope Congwen was able to forgive his father after realizing his father was paying for his evil by giving his life to take down the root of the evil:
Xu. I also speculate that Congwen would not have faced death - even if the rest of the clan might - because he had turned his back on his father so many years ago. Probably it wouldn't have worked that way back then but that's what I like to think.

Thank you for these recaps! I ended up dropping the drama 1/3rd of the way in just because I hated all the misunderstandings between ML/FL. At the very least I could read about how it finished!

My pleasure. The "romance" was toxic enough that I hate for anyone to be subjected to it but the mystery was compelling. I know I like reading the stories of shows I drop so I'm glad someone else could benefit from my curiosity. :D

You never explicitly said it in your recaps, but I get the feeling you're Team Congwen. He just sounds like the better guy in all aspects except for the fact that his character isn't the ML.

I am a bit. He and Xiaoman were always kind and supportive of each other. I got the impression in the beginning that she had a crush on him but he was too busy pining for his brothel lady to pay attention. Basically, he wasn't toxic - unlike our spoiled and arrogant unhappy prince. lol

Episode 32

The Empress tells the Emperor how much she's suffered as his wife/Empress. She blames Hanchen for losing her baby. The Emperor is remarkably recovered right now but the Empress doesn't notice. He tells her the loss of the baby was inevitable and not Hanchen's fault. He scolds her for making his good treatment of her all those years a mistake. He's known all along about her evil deeds but he let them go because she's his wife. She pulls a knife on him and he loses his temper. He yells at her to stab him but she's not that far gone. She falls to the ground and he calls for his guards to arrest her and someone to help him dress for court. He's perfectly fine.

Xu threatens Ziyan's life after Hanchen has Congwen's dad brought in to testify against Xu. Xu demands the guards kill Hanchen, even though the Crown Prince hasn't ordered it. Hanchen calls Xu on taking it upon himself to act without an edict. The guards loyal to Xu attack. Ziyan is killed protecting Hanchen. Hanchen loses his cool and obliterates the palace guards and almost kills Xu. He stops himself at the last second (because that would make him guilty of acting without an edict, I think) and asks the Crown Prince to have Xu arrested. The Emperor arrives. Congwen's dad bows to him and says he's come to reveal Xu's crimes even though it will mean his own death. The Emperor then confronts Xu with his crimes and the fact that they are enough to have his entire clan killed. Xu confesses - apparently in the hope that his clan will survive.

The Emperor orders Hanchen to investigate Xu's case and make sure all co-conspirators are also dealt with. (This will take Hanchen no time at all because he's already done it while trying to take down Xu.)

Later the Emperor meets with the Empress and the Crown Prince. She takes all the blame and tells the Emperor the Crown Prince knew nothing and was innocent. She also tells the Crown Prince she's not his mother. (He's adopted from another consort, apparently. He's the Emperor's but not the Empress's child.) The Crown Prince still considers her his mother but she spurns him so she won't drag him down with her. Her crimes are deserving of death and she knows it.

The Emperor spares her life but sentences her to spend the rest of her life in a temple reflecting on her sins. When she leaves he asks the Crown Prince why he didn't sentence Hanchen to death when Xu asked it.

"He's my Older Brother!"

Then he wants to know why the Prince still called the Empress "mother" even though she should be executed for her crimes.

"She's my mother!"

The Emperor says the Crown Prince is weak but he values the kindness and benevolence in his heart. He knows that the Crown Prince can bring that kindness and benevolence to the people as Emperor. The Crown Prince's position is secure.

Hanchen is headed towards the Emperor's room and passes the Empress. She bitterly asks him if he's happy now that he's avenged his brother. Hanchen tells her he returned to help the Crown Prince (because Xu was a danger to the throne and the kingdom) and protect the people he loves. He tells her his brother would never have wanted him to seek revenge.

Crown Prince shows up. He asks Hanchen if he really wants to kill him for the throne like people say. Hanchen says the Crown Prince is his little brother and he'll never hurt him. He tells the Crown Prince to learn to discern good and evil, right and wrong for himself rather than letting people tell him what to think. He then kowtows to the Crown Prince as his subject. (I think this whole bit was just to bring home to the Empress that she threw her life away for nothing.)

Hanchen meets with the Emperor. He starts to bow but the Emperor stops him. The Emperor pours tea but Hanchen keeps standing. The Emperor asks if he's happy now that he got what he wanted. Hanchen says it's what the Emperor wanted too. The corruption in the court has been cleaned. The Emperor complains that he's lost half his court in this cleaning but Hanchen counters that he'll be able to make it up after the next Imperial Exam.

The Emperor asks Hanchen what he wants now. Hanchen wants to go back to guard the borders. The Emperor asks "Not to be Crown Prince?" No - with Xu gone Hanchen has faith that the Crown Prince will be a good ruler. The Emperor asks him to stay and help the Crown Prince to learn and grow. Hanchen says he's a soldier, not an official. He does, however, have two requests of the Emperor:

1) He wants Ziyan to be given a title and since Ziyan is dead for that to be handed to Ziyan's mother and
2) To stop trying to marry him to other people and make Xiaoman a Commandary Princess so Hanchen can marry her as his only wife.

The Emperor agrees to both requests. He calls Hanchen "son" and asks him if he blames him for what has happened.

"This servant dares not."

The Emperor's face kind of falls there. Hanchen goes on to say he is the Emperor and the Crown Prince's servant. The Emperor says Hanchen will never call him "father" again (not that he ever really seemed to - not that any rational person would expect him to). Hanchen drinks his tea in one gulp, standing up, and then excuses himself as a servant. The emperor cries after he's left. (I feel no pity for the Emperor.)

Hanchen kind of collapses on the palace steps as the edicts for Ziyan and Xiaoman's titles are read out. Then he has a conversation with Ziyan's ghost where Ziyan assures him he has no regrets and that he was happy to give his life for his friend. He tells Hanchen to go home to Xiaoman.

Xiaoman is waiting on a dirt road - on a convenient log - when Hanchen heads out of the city. It looks like she was waiting all night for him.

Hanchen, Xiaoman, Minggu, and Boyang pay their respects to Ziyan at his grave. They are saying goodbye to their friend. Minggu and Boyang are going back to Wufeng Prefecture because Hanchen got all their assets back. Hanchen and Xiaoman are going to the border to continue to guard the borders.

One Year Later:

Minggu and Boyang are expecting their child. Minggu is refusing to take it easy and everyone scolds her.

General Shifu and Shen Brother are overseeing the soldiers training. Shifu asks why Hanchen is gone again. Brother Shen claims he sprained his waist while training.

Actually he's chasing Xiaoman around their tent and ignoring her when she tells him to get to work before General Shifu scolds him for spending too much time with her. He catches her and tells her he's already arranged to take the day off. While they're being sweet in their palatial tent, the maid and the aide are being sweet outside.

The End

Episode 31

Shen Brother wants Congwen to meet someone. (If we ever found out who - I missed it. My guess is that it's his dad who was being smuggled back to the capital to testify against Evil Grand Chancellor Xu.)

Hanchen's servant/aide likes Xiaoman's maid.

Hanchen is resisting consummating the marriage. He gives Xiaoman a few kisses on their wedding night and then leaves to take a cold bath. Xiaoman is unhappy with this development. (Apparently she's finally decided to be married to him.)

Hanchen openly tells Xu that he's planning to make sure he's punished for embezzling from the military.

The Emperor confronts the Empress and the Crown Prince about Hanchen's revelations. He becomes very upset and collapses. Meanwhile Shen Father and Brother are meeting with Xu - they appear to be well aware of the embezzlement. Xu learns of the Emperor's collapse. He sends a message to the Empress that they need to make sure the Emperor abdicates his throne and he and Shen father will be Crown Prince's reagents.

Hanchen is still resisting his marital duties. Xiaoman tries to play "the fox spirit and the scholar" with him. (He kind of likes it.) Xiaoman gets embarrassed and leaves before he gives in (it's a close thing). She asks her maid who told her about that. Apparently the maid knew someone in a brothel who said most of the men liked that game.

Surprise! Shen Brother is working with Hanchen. (Shen Father is too - he wants amnesty for any crimes he's committed.) Shen Brother tells Hanchen the plans. He's worried because if he rescues Emperor first they might be too late for Hanchen. The Emperor is being held in the harem where it will be difficult to get to him. Hanchen tells him to rescue the Emperor first - that he'll be fine.

Xiaoman is angry with Hanchen for not sharing what's going on. She tells him she knows he's not doing his husbandly duties because he wants her to be able to remarry if he dies. She tells him she'll never marry another regardless so stop resisting. He starts to leave anyway and she shouts that if he doesn't come back right now he's not a man. This works. Passion, sweet kisses, a promise to be gentle - you know...

Hanchen arrives at court where Xu has him arrested and charges him with conspiring with the enemy to kill 10,000 soldiers. Xu urges the Crown Prince to have Hanchen killed as a traitor. The Crown Prince doesn't.

The Empress provides the Emperor with the edict of abdication and tells him to sign it. The Emperor is sad at her betrayal. She tells the Emperor if he doesn't sign it she'll have to "help him".

Episode 30

Shen Sister tells Xiaoman that Minggu's problems will be resolved if she marries Congwen. (I'm not sure how she knew Congwen proposed.) She says that both she and Hanchen feel this is best.

Xiaoman goes to Hanchen's place and she and Minggu are stopped by his servant. They shout out for Hanchen to help them and Hanchen starts to go to her. Ziyan stops him. He convinces Hanchen that they're too close to getting GC Xu for his evil and getting justice for their dead military brothers. When she realizes he's not going to see her Xiaoman says that she'll marry Congwen then.

Hanchen has the evidence. He brings it before the Emperor. The Emperor won't listen because the Crown Prince is implicated. Hanchen begs the Emperor and passionately tells him that the Empire is broken and rotting because of GC Xu. The Emperor has Hanchen flogged.

Hanchen bursts in on Xiaoman and Congwen's engagement ceremony. He gently (making sure he doesn't actually hurt anyone) fights with her family who try to stop him from dragging Xiaoman away. Then he throws Xiaoman over his shoulder and threatens to kill anyone who tries to follow him. He takes her to a pond/lake/body of water. She yells at him for his high handedness. He says he told her he would never allow her to marry someone else. He begs her to marry him again as his concubine and promises that within two years he'll elevate her to his wife. She now realizes that her dream of him visiting her (when she was drunk) was real but she still rejects him. He jumps in the pond (I was wondering if this was a suicide attempt but no - he's chasing geese.) She shouts for him - asking him where he is. He squelches up to her with two huge eggs as his betrothal gift for her. (Did he supposedly squeeze them out of the geese? It doesn't really work that way. I know - I have chickens.) She has lost her mind ( I mean, is touched by his desperate love - or insanity - something like that) and agrees.

Congwen tells Xiaoman that he really loves her but he knows she loves Hanchen. He says he will always be there to protect her, though. He's pretty sweet.

Hanchen and Xiaomen marry again. This time it's in full wedding regalia and he goes to pick her up at her house and everything. Xiaoman's mom is unhappy. She doesn't want Xiaoman to be unhappy. Xiaoman says she won't regret this marriage. (I told you she lost her mind.) Mom cheers up.

The geese xD

I typed something in the recaps to fill in the gaping hole of why he would attempt to squeeze those poor geese. It's just an interpretation (esp. since I didn't watch the whole thing).

I was flabbergasted by that scene - and he was trying to grab them while he was in the water. Made zero sense to me. A suicide attempt would have made more sense - even though he can obviously swim.

Your addition helps some. It would make sense that he couldn't capture the geese, them being in their element and him NOT being in his, and maybe he found their nest on his way out of the pond. It was a very funny scene.

It was funnier because of your description. The missing transition from where and how exactly he got those eggs, I can only think that he squeezed them out xD.

edit: even though you said that it doesn't work that way.

Episode 28 and 29

Ziyan is reporting his findings about the missing provisions to Hanchen. The provisions were burned. A substantial part of the burned provisions were hay (which is obviously not going to feed soldiers, is it?). Those transporting the goods were all killed. There are no witnesses. Ziyan says Grand Secretariat Qin is covertly investigating in the capital. They've learned that the Emperor had an investigation done a year ago and he found that some of the embezzled military funds were used to make up for deficits in the treasury which was further linked to embezzlement connected to some road building. (This, by the way, seems to be the corruption that got Congwen's father in trouble.) Ziyan says that the question of why there were deficits is something only Grand Chancellor Xu can answer. Further, the Crown Prince is implicated in this mess as well.

Boyang places 223 in the Imperial Examination.

Hanchen returns. The reward he requests from the Emperor is to be made High Governor - a position reserved for the Crown Prince (but also a position that allows him access to the records that can prove GC Xu's corruption. Hanchen is deliberately antagonizing GC Xu with these moves.

Mommy Pu scolds Hanchen for his actions since returning to the capital. They're in the family shrine and she tells him to kneel. He does but he ignores her scolding and tells her that he didn't come for her but to pay his respects to his brother. (Did I mention that I really love the fact that he obviously doesn't forgive her? Also - where is Daddy Pu?)

Hanchens old friends invite him to a get together and he is cheerful with everyone but ignores Xiaoman even though she is obviously thrilled to see him. She worries about the things that Ziyan shares about his injuries and how his knees hurt in cold weather but he brushes her off and asks her why she isn't married yet. He offers to give her an endowment (dowry?) when she finds someone to marry.

Xiaoman sits in her room drinking and scolding Hanchen (who isn't there). Hanchen suddenly appears at tells her that she's his woman and he'll never let her marry someone else. He hugs her and tells her to sleep now and dream that they're married.

Next day Hanchen tells Ziyan to let the Emperor know that he wants to marry Shen Sister after all. GC Xu tells the Empress all about this. She wants him to deal with Hanchen. He sends someone to tell her that she needs to have Hanchen killed to protect the Crown Prince. I'm not clear exactly who does it but a plan is put in place to assassinate Hanchen.

Ziyan tells Hanchen that GC Xu has assassins in a particular alley so Hanchen needs to avoid the alley.

There's a feast for the scholars who passed the Imperial Exam. Shen Sister (who is betrothed to Hanchen again) has invited Xiaoman, much to Hanchen's displeasure. Xioaman speaks to him alone and offers him knee pads she sewed for his knees. He mocks her and drops the knee pads into the pond. She leaves, deeply hurt. Hanchen confronts Shen Sister about what she was really about with the invitation. He is very angry and threatening. Shen Sister is frightened and confesses that she wants to know if Hanchen is really in love with her or if he still love Xiaoman. She reveals that she's set a trap for Xiaoman.

Xiaoman runs from the men Shen Sister set to hurt (rape?) her right into the alley where GC Xu's assassins are. Hanchen tells Shen Sister that he will never love her and will always love Xiaoman. He says he was very clear that this was a business arrangement right from the start. He rushes after Xiaoman. (Pushes Xiaoman away "for her safety" but then he turns around and tells Shen Sister everything? Argh! The stupidity!)

Hanchen saves Xiaoman. An old man attacks him for "killing his son to earn merit". Hanchen disarms the man and then talks to him about his son, telling him how long he served, what his role in the army was and how he died. The assassins attack. Hanchen beats back the first attack. He conveniently finds a badge for GC Xu's house on one of the assassins. Then he tells the old man to run because the assassins are after him. He and Xiaoman run from the assassins.

They escape to a boat (on a lake, I think) but there was an assassin on the boat who has a knife to Xiaoman's neck. He tells Hanchen to put down his sword (which he does over Xiaoman's protests). When the assassin goes to kill Hanchen he has to release Xiaoman. She pushed the assassin - Hanchen gets his sword back and kicks the assassin flying out of the back of the boat. He and Xiaoman spend the night on a small island in the water. They don't talk to each other. Ziyan finds him in the morning and Hanchen leaves, telling Ziyan to make sure Xiaoman's family know where she is to rescue her later. Xiaoman is taken home by her family. Congwen proposes to Xiaoman.

Shen Sister goes full evil and has Minggu's dad arrested and their stores closed for selling fake silk.

Episode 27 (Sorry these are so long - everything seems important to the story.)

Hanchen confronts Mommy Pu again. He tells her that SHE killed his brother (by sending him to the Emperor?) and asks if she's going to kill him now. He says everything she has was obtained with the lives of others. (I got no impression that she actually feels guilty or remorseful at all.)

Hanchen says goodbye to Xiaoman - she cries about him going to the war but sends him off with encouraging and supportive words. Ziyan is determined to go with Hanchen. He says he will willingly give his life for his friend. (My impression is that this is because Ziyan is well aware of what Hanchen sacrificed so he could retake the Imperial exam.)

Everyone settles at the capital. Minggu and her family are running their stores. Xiaoman is helping Teacher Li. Boyang convinced his father to send him to the Imperial Academy (in the capital) so he can be near Minggu. He tries to study - although he's really not a scholar. And on the front Hanchen fights a desperate (first?) battle and is felled by an arrow. (It's the right side of his chest, though.)

Three Years Later:

Rumors are rampant in the capital that Hanchen is sacrificing his men for military merit. 10,000 men have died in this war. The Emperor is disturbed but is it because Hanchen has earned military merits? He, Shen Brother, and General Shifu have taken back some important border city with a long name starting with a B (you figure it out) and taken a few other cities back too. They've won this round. Hanchen and his men should be returning to the city in a month.

The Emperor is also unhappy with the Crown Prince. He reviews the Crown Prince's suggestion for the Imperial Exam which is: A bad year follows the war. The Emperor asks him what exactly that means and the Crown Prince can't really answer. The Emperor tells him he doesn't care if it was the Empress or the Grand Tutor who told him to write that - that it was wrong for him to write it.

Hanchen and his men are having a rite to cremate and remember the dead from the war. Hanchen recites the name of each dead man, how long they fought, what they did, and how they died. One of the dead men is the Deserter - his brother flips out and says he's taking his brother home. Hanchen tells the brother how he served and how he died and that he was a patriot who defended his country. The brother demands to know what happened to their provisions - why did they fight and die for a country that betrayed them? Hanchen promises to get to the bottom of the missing provisions (some of the dead soldiers starved to death) and the rites continue. (In this episode he's got some bloody stripes on his face and neck and a little bit of 5 o'clock shadow that is surprisingly attractive. Mostly he seems too young to me but that was okay.)

Episode 26

Guards come to shut down the Academy but the students protest. They have one more exam to take. Boyang points out that they have no decree, therefore no justification to immediately shut down the Academy. The guards don't dare move against Boyang (because of his father) so they leave.

Hanchen discovers that the Empress blamed him for her miscarriage (even though the Imperial Doctor said the fetus had been dead for days). His brother took the blame for him. The Empress had Big Brother poisoned and has done everything to control Hanchen so he can't come back and take revenge on her. Hanchen is still determined to go to the border and earn military merits. He wants enough power to protect those he loves.

The issue of the Academy closing ends up in Boyang's father's court. The students are yelling and shouting outside the court. Boyang begs his father to leave them alone until they take their final exam. His father has him flogged. The Principal and teachers arrive. The Principal gently tells the students that he never taught the to be unruly. He reminds them to think twice before acting and the students calm down. Boyang's father was also a student of the Academy and is finally convinced by the Principal to let them have the few extra days until the final exam.

The final exam is just for them to write about their ambitions. The Principal and teachers have already made their plans. Teacher Li will be opening a girl's academy in the capital. The Academy is officially closed. Xiaoman and her family will be moving to the capital with Mingu and her family. Xiaoman plans to help Teacher Li. Congwen confesses to her but she feels only friendship for him. He takes it well.

Episode 25

Minggu's family lose their case in spite of the lack of valid evidence on the part of the family. Boyang is beside himself at his father's utter betrayal. His father sends him home to be placed under house arrest. Grandma knew that was coming, and she knew she was dying, so she had her servant write her testament to her family.

Xiaoman barges in on Mommy Pu who is praying at an altar to Buddha. She says that it's sacrilege to lie before Buddha and that the gods know her evil deeds. Mommy Pu admits to everything and adds that she has Xiaoman's brother in her hands and can hurt her other friends too. She tells Xiaoman to leave because all Hanchen's problems are because of her. Xiaoman tells her that when she dies and is sentence to harsh punishment in the afterlife to remember that she deserves it.

Hanchen gets a note from Xiaoman to meed at a bridge in town. He knows this is bad and confronts Mommy Pu. She says everything she's doing is for his own good. She asks him if he really doesn't know how his older brother died? Hanchen demands to know what happened.

Next thing we see, Hanchen and Xiaoman are on a bridge and she tells him they can't be together anymore. Hanchen is devastated and begs her to trust him - he'll fix it. She's sorry and sad but she leaves anyway. (Of course she does - it's her brother being threatened.)

The Academy is being shut down because of it's connection to Congwen's father (who is being investigated or has been found guilty of corruption.)

Minggu's family have ten days to vacate their home. ALL of their belongings were given to the other branch of the family. They read Grandma's testament which tells them that not to despair or to seek revenge. She tells them they can rebuild their fortunes because they know how to work hard and they know how to run a business. Minggu suggests that the family go to the capital where their new stores are still in their name and start over. After some encouragement the rest of the family and many of the old employees agree to make the move. Minggu breaks up with Boyang because she needs to help her family rather than marry right now.

Episode 24 - (from here on is where I liked the show more than I hated it, although I still had unhappy feelings about it.)

Mommy Pu says that Xiaoman isn't good enough for Hanchen but if he agrees to be a good boy and return to the capital with her that she'll give them her blessing. He says he doesn't need her blessing - he's an abandoned child. He also says he'll marry Xiaoman regardless of what she thinks and no, he isn't returning to the capital.

Minggu and Xiaoman's grandmother is sick and has fallen unconscious. Minggu's evil uncle and cousins file a lawsuit to take possession of the stores. Xiaoman shares that Grandmother told her that the stores and possessions were to be inherited by her daughter and granddaughter. She's willing to testify on their behalf.

Hanchen is sure that Minggu's problems are connected to Mommy Pu. Sure enough, when Xiaoman goes to testify Mommy Pu decides she needs to perform her filial duties and wait on her instead. Hanchen stays behind to be flogged by his loving mother while Xiaoman goes to testify.

The judge hearing the case is part of the conspiracy. He finds excuses to rule against Minggu's family until Mean Cousin shows up. She testifies that the judge has had dealing with her family and has no standing to try the case. It's moved to a higher court.

Mommy Pu apparently expected this and sent her servant (Zhu Momo maybe?) to make it clear to the judge (who happens to be Boyang's father and an otherwise honest and just man) that he will be going against the Pu manor if he doesn't give the assets to the other branch of the family. She also pulls out a hairpin that has something to do with Xiaoman's brother.

“From here on is where I liked the show more than I hated it, although I still had unhappy feelings about it.”

Oh my, and you lasted 24 episodes, haha. I’ve read up to 27 and find that the story actually has more story and progression than misunderstandings and circles

Yes - and if they'd focused more on that than the toxic relationship it would have been a much, much better show.

They could have condensed the first 20 episodes into 5 episodes. It's possible. I swear. And then so many more people would have stayed for the drama and could appreciate his 5 o'clock shadow in Ep27 ♥ Thank you for that comment of yours.

Episode 23

Hanchen promises Little Brother a pony if he fails to learn from Xiaoman. (Because nothing says "I love you" like setting someone up for failure...)

Xiaoman is losing her mind trying to teach her ornery brother. He's too busy trying to confess to the girl he likes - who is about to leave the prefecture for some other place where her father found work.

Boyang walked through the city throwing the love letters he wrote Minggu on the ground one at a time. He's given up on her. Little Brother picks them up. He's going to copy them to give his crush.

Minggu sees the copy of the letter that Little Brother left for his crush. She gets the other letters from Little Brother and reads them. Ziyan has already told her he's not interested but Boyang is. Minggu is touched.

Minggu's cousins begin maneuvering to steal the family's shops. Mean Cousin (Xiaoman's dad's family, I believe) overhear the plot as well as the plans to marry her off to an official's son. The son has tuberculosis. She is not happy.

Princess Pu arrives.

Episode 22

Hanchen is not at the manor while Xiaoman and her family wait to celebrate Mid-Autumn. An edict arrives. Hanchen is demoted by the Emperor to a Duke and grounded to Wufang Prefecture. (Hanchen requested this of the Emperor. This was one of several times he refers to Hanchen as his "nephew" rather than "son".)

Hanchen sees Shen Sister off to return to the capital. He still thinks she a poor victim and tells her the Emperor promised him not to make her marry him (the Emperor). Shen Sister asks him if she really thinks the capital will let go of him? (How does he not see the poison in her smirk?)

Ziyan retakes the test. Hanchen proposes to Xiaoman again as a Duke and she agrees to marry him (I guess as his first wife?). General Shifu and Shen Brother head off to war. The Empress sends Princess Pu to bring Hanchen back to the capital. (But he was grounded in the edict so how is he supposed to do that?)

Hanchen is against Xiaoman being a teacher. He wants her to stay home, have children for him, and teach THEM. She's adamant about her ambition. Her little brother is failing his subjects. Hanchen says if she can teach little brother he'll agree to her being a teacher.

It might be the way you wrote it, but that last paragraph triggers me. I’m pretty sure Show wanted it that way. Hanchen’s character just doesn’t make sense to me. He’ll understand Xiao Man and her fight for women’s right but then his actions contradict everything he says.

So much this - it made me sooooo angry.

Edit: Specifically, they missed a great chance to have the two lovers be a team against the toxic parents and love interests. They could have written this SOOO much better! I'm really disappointed that they dropped the ball so completely. In fact, I think they threw the ball into a pond full of sludge.

Episode 21

Xiaoman won the debate with her original viewpoint and she will be Teacher Li's assistant. (If I didn't hate Shen sister so much I'd feel sorry for her.)

Xiaoman and Boyang learn about Minggu taking the money. They rush to town to find her.

Congwen learns from the Academy Principal that his father is under house arrest and being investigated for corruption and embezzlement. The Principal tells him that his father has been making donations to keep the Academy going and that every time he writes the Principal he asks how Congwen is doing. He suggests that Congwen go visit his father (before it's too late, by implication.)

Minggu gives Sidekick the money but he has no intention of clearing Ziyan as that will get him in even more trouble. Boyang and Xiaoman arrive as Sidekick's guards are restraining Minggu and Boyang punches Sidekick in the face. Minggu falls to her knees to beg Sidekick and Boyang yells at her that his father can help (he's a judge or something). Sidekick flips out on them and picks up a vase to hit Minggu with. Boyang protects her with his body. He tells Minggu that he's a fool and loses consciousness. (The vase hit him on his shoulders but they bandage his head next episode -- apparently his shoulders transferred the damage to his head. lol) Guards arrive and arrest Sidekick and his guards.

Hanchen meets with Shifu General. He says he wants to go to battle at the border too. General Shifu asks if he's sure because the battlefield isn't a game. Hanchen is sure but a messenger arrives with news of Ziyan's plight.

Congwen puts on his travelling scholar gear and leaves - presumably to see his father. He wanted to show Xiaoman the latest installment of his book (that she was always saying she wanted to see) but didn't get the chance.

Hanchen is furious that Ziyan didn't tell him about his problem. Ziyan is adamant that he doesn't want Hanchen dragged into it.

Boyang is awake but refuses to see Minggu. She's worried about him.

Hanchen and Shen Brother meet at the prison. Hanchen demands that Shen Brother use his connections to arrange for Ziyan to take the exam again, all by himself. Shen Brother scoffs: "You think it's that easy?" Hanchen signals someone to start whipping Sidekick who is in the next room.

Shen Brother is visibly upset at his sidekick's cries of pain but Hanchen points out that what he did is deserving of death and says he was only holding off out of respect for Shen Brother. Shen Brother tells him that he can't help. The word has already come from the capital that anyone helping him in this matter will be going against Prince Pu (Hanchen's biological family). Shen Brother points out that there is no way the Empress will let him go to the border and earn military merits that might put the Crown Prince's position in danger. The only hope Ziyan has is if Hanchen marries Shen Sister and returns to the capital to be under the Empress's thumb. Hanchen bursts out with: "All my problems are because of this identity as the adopted son of the Emperor, Prince Julu (I think that was the title).

Hanchen grudgingly tells Shen Brother that he'll spare Sidekick's life but he has to go guard the gates of Shanhai Pass and then he leaves. Shen Brother slaps Sidekick but then tells him about the deal Hanchen offered. Sidekick has already had his name removed from the family's genealogy book so he has no reason to stay - he agrees. Shen Brother promises to make arrangements for Sidekick in Shanhai and to look after his mother and sister here in Wuchang. (Apparently he's loyal to underlings. Color me surprised.)

Xiaoman brings Hanchen food and then asks him if he'll join her family for the Mid-Autumn Festival since they don't know yet that she and he are supposed to be divorcing. (Gotta love her optimism. Hanchen has told her several times he's not letting her go but there she is, still waiting for her annulment letter.) Hanchen says that the manor always has leftovers from their Mid-Autumn Festival so her family should celebrate here at the mansion. Xioaman likes this idea and asks about Ziyan's situation. (We don't know what Hanchen tells her but Ziyan is listening just outside and he's really bummed by what he hears. He sadly leaves.) Hanchen asks Xiaoman if she could save a friend but with a really big price, would she? She doesn't know. She tells him a rather anti-climatic ghost story to cheer him up. He laughs because it isn't scary at all but she says it scared her when she was a kid. Then he asks to sleep with her that night. He quickly clarifies that he'll take the floor and she can take the bed.

As they're lying in the dark he asks her to tell him why she REALLY wants to leave him. She tells him it's because he'll get married. Whether it's Shen Sister or someone else, he's going to marry another woman and it won't be her. She doesn't want to be stuck in the back court nor does she want to share her husband. He tells her he doesn't want to lose her. She invites him to share the bed - but just for sleep. He joins her and they snuggle and she tells him he's the best man she's ever met (which may be the saddest thing in this entire show) and that she hopes he accomplishes everything he wants and has a great life. He kisses her forehead. They sleep.

Ziyan leaves the city, stumbling drunk.

Hanchen and Xiaoman wake up. She snuggles up to him then jumps back calling him a "pervert". He protests that "it's natural!" Then he frowns and asks her how she knows what that means anyway. We never know because Xiaoman's maid rushes in (blushes and turns away to find them in bed together) and tells them that Minggu is outside because Ziyan is missing. Hanchen finds out that Ziyan left the city that night while drunk. He meets up with Ziyan in the family's noodle stand. He hasn't told his mother and sister about the exam. Hanchen doesn't tell them either.

Hanchen, Ziyan, Minggu, and Xiaoman go back to the lake with the magic Kun creature. They eat the fruit. Xiaoman tells everyone that if they make a wish when they see the Kun it will come true. Xiaoman wishes to be a teacher like Teacher Li. Minggu wants to take over the family stores and be an honest merchant like her mother. Ziyan wants to fulfill his dream of being a Principal Graduate and then an officer and then climb the ranks to Chancellor (at 40, I believe) and uphold justice and keep the peace of the nation. Hanchen doesn't make a wish he just kisses Xiaoman.

Episode 20

Hanchen and Xiaoman go to the prison. Hanchen visits the brothers.
Deserter's brother told him Deserter didn't really desert. He went home
for his mother's funeral and was then accused of deserting. Hanchen
apparently investigated and found it was true. He offers to let Deserter
join his Shifu General and fight in the border war. Deserter's
patriotism is roused and he agrees. Then Hanchen tells the brother that
he was a thug and didn't respect women (brother threatened to slice
Xiaoman's face and threatened to "have fun" with her) so he had to serve
a sentence of conscription for three years but then he could join his
brother in the border war. Brother agrees and seems to feel a bit of
pride.

Xiaoman asks her friend if she wants to divorce her thug husband. Friend is afraid and asks why the world is so unfair for women. Xiaoman says it's because women don't fight for themselves. Friend asks Xiaoman if she will fight for herself and Xiaoman says she will.

While Xiaoman and Hanchen leave the prison Xiaoman tells Hanchen that she was forced to marry the arrogant commandery prince and she's unhappy. She says he's capricious and unkind to her and she's not willing to be a concubine forever. Hanchen promises her he can fix things if she'll just trust him once. She's not willing. She knows she will never be allowed to be his wife and she won't settle for concubine. She asks him to just let her go and starts walking away. He calls after her: "Can't you please stay?" but she keeps walking. He has a flashback to when he was carrying the injured Shen Sister back to their school field trip place and he told her that he loves Xiaoman, can't live without her, and will love only her. He apologizes to Shen Sister.

Ziyan was implicated by Shen Brother's sidekick for cheating. Ziyan is forbidden to ever take the Imperial exam again.

Teacher Li plans to compile A Biography of Legendary Women of History and needs an assistant. There will be an exam to decide which of the female students will assist her. Xiaoman volunteers for the exam so of course Shen Sister does too.

Boyang likes Minggu (the nice cousin) but she's oblivious because she likes Ziyan.

Hanchen agrees to help Shen Sister prepare for the examination. (He thinks she's a sweet young lady because he's really stupid - I mean, fooled by her.) Congwen offers to help Xiaoman. Both Hanchen and Xiaoman are jealous.

Minggu found out that Ziyan was accused of cheating and that is was Shen Brother's sidekick who did it. She confronts Sidekick and he says that his life was ruined so Ziyan has to suffer along with him. Minggu asks what it will take to get him to admit Ziyan didn't cheat. Sidekick says he'll come clean for 5 strings of 1,000 cash.

Xiaoman gets back to her room to find all of her study books gone. Her maid tells her Zhu Momo (the one sent by the Empress) took them for Shen Sister on Hanchen's orders. Hanchen didn't do that at all but when Xiaoman confronts him he says he did because Shen Sister is his fiancee so he'll give her whatever she wants. Xiaoman starts to leave and Hanchen tells her she has to stay and perform her duties as a concubine. She resists him and breaks free. He accuses her of messing with him and making him run after her like a puppy. She tells him he's the one messing with her. He tells her that even if he marries Shen Sister he won't let Xiaoman go. She slaps him and runs to her room and cries. He mopes outside her room on a railing.

Minggu steals the money her mother was using to open the two new stores in the capital.

The girls take their exam which is about Princess Consort Ming (I think). Shen Sister gives an answer that is based on traditional understanding of her sacrifice for her country. Xiaoman counters that Princess Ming was escaping the cage of the Imperial Harem. Shen Sister says in that case she traded one prison for another. Xiaoman both agrees and disagrees. Hanchen starts to leave the grounds but pauses to recite a poem that undoubtedly had some cultural significance that I don't understand. Xiaoman smiles at Hanchen (so it obviously helped her) and counters that Princess Ming went to where the lands were open and free. She says the stories about Princess Ming were written by men with male assumptions.

ep20 and the romance is stuck at the same spot ._.

I like the tidbit on the stories of historical women being written by men with male assumptions

I really liked that too. Shen Sister was saying that Princess Ming was miserable after she was married off to the grasslands (at least I think that's what it was about) but Xiaoman was saying that her supposed misery was what the men assumed she felt. She pointed out that Princess Ming never saw the Emperor in the 20 years she was in the harem. She also talked about how the grasslands are open and wide. Xiaoman is assuming that Princess Ming had more freedom there - which she might well have had. It seems from what I've watched like the women of the grasslands were more respected if they were strong minded. :D

If you’ve noticed, grassland women are always the ones who come midway in a drama to form an alliance marriage with the ML just to extend the drama for a few more eps and make the FL jealous, not only because of the ML, but because of their assertive and “western” personality

Forgive me for being slow, but I’m adding your recaps in the post! I chose blue for your thoughts. The only other colour I have left is purple, would you like that instead? ^^

Blue and purple are both my favorite colors so I like either.

And yes, I HAVE noticed the plethora of feisty "grasslands" ladies showing up to shake up the palace in these dramas. Except for the cold I get the impression I'd like the grasslands much more than any other part of ancient Asia. On the other hand, I'm from the Pacific Northwest so I'm used to a little cold. :D

Recap Episode 19

Hanchen is trying to get Xiaoman a title so he properly marry her. He goes to the Academy Principal who says he can't help. Principal sends him to Duke Feng or Teng who has no ties to the royal court.

The deserter Hanchen captured is sentenced to be beheaded in 7 days. His brother sends Xiaoman's childhood friend (who he just happened to be married to) to lure her to be kidnapped. The friend meet with Xiaoman but can't bring herself to lure her.

Ziyan (Hanche's study buddy) goes to take the Imperial exam.

Congwen brings Xiaoman to the school where he teaches young rural students and has he be a guest teacher. He sits and watches her with a slight smile while she talks to the girls about having their own ambitions to achieve. He started falling for her when he read her comment on his book and realized she understood his writing.

Shen Sister summons Xiaoman to a food place where Xiaoman's mother works. She has her servant humiliate Xiaoman's mother - who takes it and begs the servant to be kind to Xiaoman after Shen Sister marries Hanchen. Shen Sister tells Xiaoman that she should know her place. Whether Hanchen marries her or not, he'll never marry Xiaoman. She'll never be anything but a concubine and servant, locked up in the back rooms and never hearing her children call her "mother". Xiaoman slaps her twice, once for her mother and the second time for herself and then storms off.

Duke Feng won't help Hanchen. He scolds him for pampering the concubine and demoting the wife. He says he's foolish and childish to even consider refusing an Imperial edict and finishes by asking him if he really isn't going to go fight in the border war.

Xiaoman goes looking for her childhood friend to help her and is kidnapped by the deserter's brother. She's angry that her friend didn't tell her. Her friend gives her a piece of broken crockery after the men have left the room but doesn't have the courage to help further.

Hanchen arrives home just in time to learn Xiaoman has been kidnapped by deserter's brother. He rushes to save Xiaoman and lets them hit him without fighting back to save her. She finishes sawing through the ropes holding her with the broken crockery and runs to Hanchen's side. He's protecting them both, but outnumbered, when her childhood friend arrives with the guards. Deserter's brother is all: "You betrayed me vile female!" (paraphrased, of course. All I could think was, you expect loyalty from someone you treat like dirt and beat and force to betray her own friend?!?) All the villains are arrested.