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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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Nirvana in Fire Episode 11 Reaction

I took a break from watching Nirvana in Fire for a day to watch the Fullmetal Alchemist film that just released here in the States, and while that was an unexpectedly enjoyable diversion (if a bit too wild in its severe tonal moodswings) it feels so good to be back in hell! What fresh miseries await me this episode, I wonder. (In an additional note I feel compelled to add that I wrote the above intro back at the end of February, when I did not know that illness/the loss of my phone/a crazy busy St. Patrick's day show schedule would mean this recap was delayed not by a few days but instead by a full MONTH. But I’m finally back, so sorry about the wait ^_^)

In keeping with established Nirvana in Fire tradition we pick up right where we left off, but with the added spice of a flashback insert! We flashback to the night at the brothel when young He murdered Qiu, but this time we see it from Prince Supreme Ji's POV. Someone was beaten to death? Let me have a look! he exclaims, which would be the opposite of my reaction were I in his place. But his reaction does mean he is a potential star witness.

And we cut from the flashback not back to Team Good Boys and Ji, but to Banruo! Whaaaa? Oh, this was the information on the murder case that she got from one of her spy girls last episode. She is now reporting to Prince Yu. Since there were a lot of less important witnesses, Gao Sheng did not feel the need to have Ji testify, so Yu's team missed this until now. This throws a major wrench into Prince Yu's plans, because if he goes through with his plan to acquit He, his uncle will undoubtedly tell the Emperor the truth about what he saw, and of course the Prince Supreme is not a witness Yu can bully or bribe into silence. Banruo agrees that if Baron Wen Yuan, Qiu's father, asks Ji to testify then that is the end for Team Yu, who cannot now continue being sneaky due to this potential disaster. Saving one of your ally's sons is not worth falling out with your uncle, Banruo tells Yu: It seems that He Wen Xin can't be saved.

Yu is deeply unhappy. He refuses to give up on helping his supporter, and he says he has to make sure the Ministry of Justice is not implicated. Then he turns to Banruo: Fortunately, I have you, he tells her. He compliments her cleverness and alertness in finding out about Ji, and set his hand on her shoulder while asking How should I reward you? Oh, she toooootally likes that. I'm pretty sure she has a crush on Yu. She just tells him that even though she is a woman she likes legends about emperors and the chance to work for the future emperor is enough reward. I think she is lying. Her answer pleases him, but she has serious heart eyes going on. Either Yu does not notice or he is happy to ignore them. Just then, there is a knock on the door and it is Yu's wife summoning him to dinner, lolllllllll Banruo looks really put out at having her Moment spoiled. Does the Princess Consort realize Banruo has a massive crush on her husband? Hard to tell.

Now we go to the Crown Prince and Marquis Xie, who are chatting about the brothel murder scandal. CP is very happy: It would be great to drag the father down with this case as well. The Marquis dismisses this, saying the Baron Wen Yuan is already taking care of that so Team CP doesn't have to worry about it lol. Instead, the Marquis tells CP that his top priority should be getting his disgraced mother back in the Emperor's good books. She was expelled from the palace, remember, so the Marquis points out that Yu now has the advantage of his mother still being in the palace to pass along news and gossip to him, while CP is blind. CP says sure, he is definitely worried about that but there is nothing he can do, it is his father's decision to reinstate CP's mom or not. The Marquis leans forward meaningfully and says that New Year's is only a month away. The New Year ritual is significant somehow in potentially putting the Consort back in power, but CP and I both don't really know what the Marquis is getting at. I expect he will enlighten us.

Cut to yet another loser nobleman's son being released from custody seemingly, but this is a guy we haven't met before. His father is Master Chen, another official I don't think we have met before. He is hugely grateful to the man who arranged the release of his corrupt, arms-dealing son. And who is this man? Why, the Marquis himself! Okay, what is he up to. He obviously wants this official to owe him a favor.

It turns out this favor involves that New Year's end-of-year ritual aforementioned. In the ritual, the Emperor prays to heaven and to earth. Concubines below second rank are not allowed to accompany him onto the ritual platform. The Crown Prince, being the heir to the throne, also has a role in the ritual: he must sprinkle wine on the platform, pray to heaven, and then touch the ground while keeping in contact with his parents' garments to indicate filial piety. OHHHH OH I SEE WHERE THE MARQUIS IS GOING WITH THIS. CP's mom, Consort Yue, HAS to be on that platform for the ritual, but she CAN'T be on the platform if she is a disgraced lower level concubine. Thus she will have to be reinstated before the ritual!

The Marquis is very theatrically smug while he lays this all out with Chen. I am confused, he says, innocently: how should Imperial Concubine Yue place? Is she considered Crown Prince's mother or a lowly ranked concubine? Should she go on the platform to attend the ritual or kneel outside? Chen starts to say there is a simple solution, but we do not find out what it is because the Marquis cuts him off very threateningly. Chen realizes he is being strongarmed and meekly asks for advice. The Marquis just tells him to make sure to inform the Emperor of this complicated problem. As Minister of Rites, you have the say [in interpreting the ritual's rules], the Marquis says. So THAT is why he needed Chen's help! Okay, got it. Very sneaky.

Also, the Marquis stresses how it is essential everything go smoothly and correctly for the end of year ritual in order to make sure the next year is untroubled, and all I can think about is Mei Chang Su lololol do whatever you want with the ritual I don't think it will help much with keeping the new year uneventful.

Sure enough, Minister Chen tells the Emperor about how difficult it is to arrange CP's ritual with his mother demoted like that. CP himself is kneeling nearby listening, with his sad mama's boy face on. The Emperor considers, but then the Marquis is announced as having arrived to talk about some military stuff. Oh, the Emperor says, I forgot I arranged to meet him today. Well, since he is here, let us ask him his opinion on the ritual problem! It will be good to have someone totally disinterested and not involved in this mess give their opinion, what good luck he is here. THIS IS A DUMB EMPEROR.

There is as very awkward silence between CP, the Marquis, and Minister Chen while they all stand around watching the Emperor read the report and pretend not to know each other, lol. But then the Emperor asks the Marquis if he would be willing to help by answering a question: Do you think that it's inappropriate to restore Imperial Concubine Yue to her title as Noble Consort? Oh, says the Marquis, demurring, This is a matter of the Inner Court, I don't dare say much about it. How he lies and lies. I hate that Jing Rui lives with him and loves him. I hate it. I hate it so much.

The Emperor insists on an answer, so the Marquis replies that he thinks Yue deserves credit for CP's good virtues. Which SHOULD mean that he is saying she should be exiled not just from the palace but from the entire city itself because CP has NO good virtues whatsoever, but of course he is pretending CP isn't a useless slug of a man. He says furthermore that Yue was demoted simply for offending a superior, which everyone in court secretly thought was unduly harsh punishment, and so if the Emperor is willing to forgive her now, what is he waiting for?

Oh, says the Emperor, I forgot you would not know this Inner Court secret: Yue was actually demoted because she insulted Ni Huang in the palace. (Remember the Marquis was TOTALLY in on that plan, wowwww the nerve of this man.) I'm worried that if I pardon her sins too easily, it will be disappointing to the soldiers on the southern border. Yeah, the last thing you should want is a Ni Huang-led coup, Emperor. It is kind of remarkable that Ni Huang can have an army and the Emperor is wary of it but Jing also has an army and no one cares lolol. Hers is more powerful I suppose. But still.

CP interjects that he will personally apologize to Ni Huang on his mother's behalf, please forgive his mommm. The Marquis calmly lays out that this qualm of the Emperor's actually makes it even more necessary that he pardon Yue, because no matter how powerful and highborn Ni Huang is, she is still a subject of Imperial Concubine Yue. If she holds a grudge against her for a one time mistake that isn't how a subject should behave. A one-time mistake, oh my gosh. But of course the Marquis is still playing the role of someone who doesn't know that this one-time mistake was attempted rape -.-

He further tells the Emperor that speaking as a military man, he knows that it's easier for those with merits in the army to grow arrogant. The Emperor has already handed down extremely severe punishment to his Consort and his heir on behalf of Ni Huang; that is already more than she deserves and the Emperor should not continue to indulge her for fear that she will grow proud beyond her station. The Emperor just chuckles and says That isn't what Ni Huang is like, and it is so weird how he is so doting and nice to Ni Huang but is just the worst about everything else!

The Marquis then plays his trump card: Back then, Blaze Army grew to such an overpowering strength . . . wasn't it because we did not restrain them sooner? SHut uP YOU VICIOUS HORRID MAN YOU VIPER

The Emperor is not laughing now. He is silent a long time, then asks the Minister of Rites his opinion. Of course Minister Chen backs the Marquis. The Emperor is silent a moment longer, than says he will make a decree.

Aaaaaand then we cut to Prince Yu smashing some porcelain in a rage, and we all know what that means: The Emperor's decree was an announcement that he is reinstating Yue to her high rank. The win Yu managed to get over CP has been effectively negated. Yu's poor wife shows up to ask his opinion on New Year's gifts she is planning for his royal parents, and she tries to apologize for whatever caused him to be angry, but to his credit even though he is furious he does seem like he is trying not to take his anger out on her. He assures her she has done nothing wrong and explains the situation. Since his wife apparently gets along with Empress Yan very well, he tells her to visit his mom more often to comfort her since this turn of events is sure to bother her even more than it bothers him.

But you know who is bothered most of all? BEST BROTHER IN THE WORLD MU QING, THAT IS WHO. He's back! Along with Ni Huang herself! I guess it is a sign of how well-paced this show is that the instant I start missing characters they come back into the action. I had almost forgotten just how adorable Mu is, but he is a darling and very, very upset. There aren't even any legs for him to break this time, either. Xia Dong is also here and agrees with the raging Mu that this isn't fair. What is justice? she laments. But the placid Ni Huang says they don't have to convince her to be outraged, she already is. It is just that she already knew this was coming. Now that the Southern border is at peace, it is a perfect moment for the Emperor to reinstate his authority over her, she says. Mu is not appeased. He suggests visiting that clever Mei Chang Su to ask him for a plan by which Ni Huang can “vent her anger”, which just makes me think of her like TPing the palace or something. Stop being such a kid, Mu Qing. No, wait, I take that back. Never change. Ni Huang looks verrrrry thoughtful when Su is brought up. Is she still thinking about his weird reaction to the Lin family house?

Cut to Mei Chang Su! He is sitting on a stack of books with his socked feet propped up close to the warmth of his usual brazier and it's so cute imma cry you guys. And GUESS WHAT IS IN A BOWL NEXT TO HIM. TANGERINES. THEY'RE BAAAAAAACK. MY FAVE SIDE CHARACTERS.

Looks like he ate only one this time, and is making a game of tossing fruit over his shoulder for Fei Liu to catch and eat as Fei Liu demands. I love how he spoils his murder boy. Su is more intent on reading some stuff that he is also burning so idk what that is.

Then who shows up but Meng!! Yaaaay! He is astonished that Su is so relaxed (lol) and when Su asks why, what else should he be, Meng says Don't you know that Yue has been restored to her title??? Su's expression is less surprised and more Oh, yeah, that. Whatever. I'm sure he knew this was coming even before he managed to have her demoted to begin with. I have so much faith in his smarts.

I just came from Prince Mu's manor, Meng says. Young Prince Mu was so angry that he nearly left teeth marks in his cedar chair! Fei Liu pipes up nonchalantly from his fruit corner: It's very easy to bite. LOL WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. Fei Liu said it, Su says pleasantly to Meng, Cedar is very soft and easy to bite. It is very unfair of Troll Son and Troll Dad to gang up on poor Meng like this, but I am loving it, more more more! and then Su caps it off by innocently offering Meng a TANGERINE and that's the last straw I LOVE when this show has these weird humor moments I LOVE THEM

Quit fooling around, Meng says, disgusted that he is the only sane person here. Also he calls Su Xiao Shu again and like that is super cute in this rare playful scene but also excuse me while I go curl up in a corner and cry about Royal Grandma for a few minutes because that trauma never goes away.

Su explains that nope, he isn't surprised about Yue. The crime was severe, yes, but it was directed at Ni Huang, not the emperor himself. Our emperor never cared about the sufferings of other people, he says lightly, (what is this weird fey mood he has gotten himself into) It isn't as if you didn't know that. Meng makes a face. You don't have to say that about His Majesty, Meng complains. Nah, I'm gonna say Xiao Shu can say whatever the heck he wants about the Emperor, Meng. I'm with him on this one.

Meng explains about the whole ritual mess and why it is because CP needs his mom on the platform that Yue is being given her rank back, not because of the emperor not caring about people or whatever. Immediately Su asks: Doesn't Crown Prince have a legal mother? Wait what

Cut to the Emperor and CP walking together. The Emperor dismisses CP and tells him to go be with his mom since she has just been reinstated and all. CP thanks his dad and reiterates his intention to go to Mu's manor and apologize to Ni Huang. But instead of this pleasing his father, it enrages him. You can't get anything right! The Emperor yells at his worthless son. You are the heir! Only the emperor is above you! How dare CP demean his rank by apologizing in person??? The emperor will send someone else instead. CP looks pleased once the Emperor has walked away, I think because this shows the emperor is unwittingly showing he is invested in his chosen son's status again.

Back to Su, who has left his book-and-tangerine throne while he explains animatedly to Meng. According to the ritual, the Crown Prince should kneel down while holding onto the garments of his father and legal mother, the empress. Isn't that then what true filial piety is? OHHHHHHH. CLEVER. Also Hu Ge is so cute in how he delivers these lines, mercy.

In past years, Yue held high enough rank that she was allowed to stand on the platform with the Emperor and Empress, and thus CP was allowed to touch her robe instead of the Empress'. Su points out however that it really is more proper that CP hold the Empress' robe anyway, so reinstating Yue on these grounds is all just a ploy, not really a matter of sound ritual at all. Meng admits he thought the Minster of Rites must have a reason for bringing up this supposed ritual problem to the Emperor. Su suddenly looks like he is paying more attention. Chen Yuan Zhi? he asks. He sighs and rolls his eyes like oh, well, and then says: Since it has come to this, it's about time to tackle him. Are you freaking kidding me, Su.

(Also the camera pulls back and I see that he's been holding a tangerine this entire time asdghjkl)

Meng is instantly super worried. The Crown Prince holds too many advantages if Su wants to take out the Minister of Rites! Have you thought it through? He asks. Su looks slightly affronted to be questioned in such a way, and shuts Meng down by offering him that tangerine. Can all Su's deflection tactics in future continue to involve tangerines please. He should have brought some with him when Ni Huang insisted on that walk by his house. You want me to walk inside that creepy old place? Nah I'd rather eat this fruit over here actually Problem solved

Cut to some kinda court session, lots of ministers are there as well as the two rival princes, all reporting to the Emperor. CP, all grins, says the Minister of Rites has everything prepared for that ritual. The emperor approves, but then suddenly one of the background officials steps forward. He says his name is Tian De Zhi, he is the Deputy Censor-in-chief, and he wants to impeach the Minister of Rites. HO BOY. Does he work for Su or how does he know about the loophole? Maybe he is just smart enough to realize it on his own?? Or Su clued him in somehow??? CP is FURIOUS and tries to shut this down fast, but of course Yu intercedes. Censors are allowed to impeach people, and furthermore he hasn't even said why he wants to impeach, so just chill, he tells CP. Let him have his say!

Tian De Zhi says the Minister of Rites has seen the ritual being done improperly for years and has stayed silent, which is a dereliction of duty both morally and legally. Noble Consort overstepped the authority of the empress. Crown Prince showed no act of respect to the Empress in the ritual. It is an act against filial piety.

CP flies into a panicked rage. Yu seizes upon the opportunity to act calm and mature and logical: don't get angry, CP, we are not in a competition to see who can yell the loudest in front of the emperor, Tian just pointed out a super valid problem that we need to fix, is all. For someone who breaks dishes when he is upset, Yu sure does know how to act the cool-headed and responsible one when he needs to. What a slug. (Also the fact that CP squeaks whenever he is angry is still one of my favourite acting choices of any actor in this entire show. Makes me giggle every single time.)

The Emperor talks about how the Minister of Rites has been in this role for a long time so he would know better than anyone how to run these rituals. He cannot be wrong! Yu smoothly says that yes, probably so, however since there is a legitimate disagreement in the court about how to correctly interpret the requirements of the ritual, there should be a formal debate on the matter. He specifically says that Confucian scholars not currently in office should come debate the problem in court (I am guessing since these would be more senior scholars and ideally "purer" ideologically since they are not tied by political allegiances) to settle on an answer once and for all. CP looks horrified. He thought his life was on the upswing again, how did this happen??? He looks on the verge of tears, but he cannot think of any reasonable argument against this course of action, so the Emperor agrees to Yu's proposal, saying that it seems sensible. CP glares actual daggers at his very smug-looking brother. ALSO, since Yu was so fast with proposing this plan, I am guessing that means less that Tian knows Su and more that Su told Yu to make this happen and Yu strong-armed, bribed, or tricked Tian into helping him.

The Empress asks her foster-son later how he knew to set this plan in motion. Sure enough: Mei Chang Su gave him the idea. She is worried it means losing favor with the Emperor, since Yue is his favourite and we already know his patience is wearing thin for his sons fighting, but Yu is confident. Su says it is worth the risk to make sure Yue loses her influence, he tells his foster mother, plus even making this issue a point of debate reminds everyone in the court that CP is actually an illegitimate son even if he IS the heir at this point in time. If everyone is reminded that CP is both illegitimate AND not the Emperor's eldest son, and is really only in power because the Emperor says so, then if the Emperor were to strip him of his title and give it to someone else--like, say, to Prince Yu--then it would not be such a scandal and no one could really protest on CP's behalf because he doesn't really have any claim to the throne outside of the Emperor's favor. This whole affair will reinforce how tenuous his hold on the throne actually is.

(Of course, this also works in Prince Jing's favor, but Prince Yu has not realized that yet. I sort of feel bad about how Yu will feel when he realizes his precious Divine Talent friend has actually been backstabbing him this entire time, but then I remember what an odious twat he is and I don't feel quite as sympathetic. I still do a little, but it might just be me dreading the secondhand embarrassment of seeing him realize just how he has been played. Sigh. I hope he remains oblivious for a long time.)

And now we cut to--OH NO IT IS NI HUANG AND MEI CHANG SU. I brace myself for the Feels, but without much hope. So far I haven't been able to guard successfully against any of the emotional drubbing this show has dealt me.

They are walking together in Ni Huang's courtyard, and there are all these flowers everywhere ghhh. Su comments on how Ni Huang has seemed so unperturbed by all the insults and attacks she has suffered since she came home to the capitol. She replies as she turns to admire some plum (I think? I'm so bad with flowers) blossoms: It's just that after going through bloodshed on the battlefields I do feel a bit bothered by such malicious plots in the harem. I just don't wish to brood over it, that's all.

And then Mei Chang Su, this DUMB BOY, reaches out and plucks a fallen flower from her hair because he just can't help himself this SAD IDIOT this LONELY GENIUS FOOL. Of course she notices, and turns around in time to catch his WHOOPS expression as he realizes he has Done It Again. I freaking love every time he forgets himself around his two best loves, whether it is him smiling at Jing, or touching Ni Huang with obvious affection. He is just so untouchable except around these two and he just can't stop tripping over his heart when he is with them and I adore it. It is so sad but I adore it.

Ni Huang looks a little weirded out but mostly pleased, and Su quickly walks away, inwardly screaming. He tries to distract her by complimenting the garden, lol, but just look at the smile on Ni Huang's face as she catches up to him, she is not so easily distracted. She has just put another mark down on her mental list of 101 Reasons Why Mei Chang Su Is Lin Shu. She says not many people in the capitol are in the mood to admire plum blossoms anymore, what with all the turmoil. Su again brings this back to the attack on her by Yue, suggesting Ni Huang hasn't vented about it enough (is he just still worried about that and wants her to talk about it to him lol) but Ni Huang dismisses that suggestion: She is talking more about the increasing aggression of the struggle between CP and Yu. I heard that you were also involved, so I asked a bit more about it, she tells Su. He answers by asking her who she thinks will win the debate on the New Year's rite. Empress Yan doesn't have a son, Ni Huang replies, thoughtfully. Prince Yu has been raised as her child, so even if he wasn't appointed Crown Prince, he seems to be of a more noble identity. Su says that is only seeming; ALL of the Emperor's sons are equally illegitimate, so when it comes down to that all of them have equal right to the throne. Even, say, Prince Jing. Ni Huang's gaze sharpens. Prince Jing? She repeats, immediately narrowing in on that name in the list of names Su seemingly casually listed, because she is Ni Huang, she is brilliant, and I love her so much. Su just smirks and sidesteps, asking Ni Huang if she wants to help in his latest plot to smack Yue in the face, lol. When she just waits with a questioning expression, he elaborates: he wants Mu Qing to do him a favor. What could Mu Qing possibly do to help you? Ni Huang wants to know. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Mu Qing would be willing to do literally anything to help smack Yue in the face, including but not limited to actually physically smacking her in the face.

Meanwhile, Yue herself is walking with her son, newly restored to her position of prestige in the palace but also unhappy because she knows this rite will be debated. It was unavoidable, she tells CP. CP says he feels like Yu is coming on strong. Thus he feels that Yu must be confident of the outcome. Yu has apparently spent years cultivating respect in prominent scholars by giving gifts and whatnot, so CP feels the scholars will be on Yu's side. So what? Yue tells her son. You are the Crown Prince! Go invite your own scholars! CP has prestige and money enough that he can probably assemble a worthy team to debate Yu's team with. If bribery is the name of the game, surely there are corrupt or easily bought scholars out there willing to ally themselves with the Actual Heir. I love that Yue has to be the one to TELL him this obvious fact. CP is such a man baby.

And so begins the latest stage in the battle between Yu and CP, wherein they vie not for the support of a Divine Talent this time but the support of a bunch of old men. Brilliant Confucian scholar old men, but still. It is like the early days of Su being in the capitol all over again, where each prince is falling over himself to gain the support of some clever person and is fiercely trying to outdo the other, but this time instead of MCS they are trying to win over like twenty guys each, probably. Yu is dismayed when he finds out CP has spent a ridiculous amount of money to host his own team of scholars and to treat them royally well. Yu is worried not just because CP's team is strong enough it might actually win the debate, but furthermore he knows that they are impressive enough that even if Yu's team wins the outcome will be muddled and divisive and not a clear win. And if he does not get a clear win over CP in this debate then all his effort and the blow to his father's esteem of him will be for nothing, because the impact on CP will not be big and obvious enough to cause him any serious trouble.

Cut to Yu explaining all of this to Su, who admits that he did not anticipate CP gathering such a pro group of scholars to help his case. If only Mr Zhou could be here, says Su, and Yu responds with an incredulous Mr Zhou Xuan Qing?? So I guess this is a Mega Scholar. Legendary Scholar. Scholar Boss.

Yu says it is impossible that Zhou would attend this debate (which is being held tomorrow) because he retired into seclusion ages ago and also he hates politics. There is no way he would be willing to participate in this debate, let alone travel to the city in the middle of winter to attend. Su, however, tells him anything is possible. I heard that Mu Qing has already set out with his carriage to Lingyin Temple where Mr Zhou resides, says Su, and Ahhhhhh he said he did not anticipate CP putting up such a good fight but look he is one step ahead anyway you LIAR, Su. Mu Qing? Yu repeats, surprised. You are not the only person angry about Yue getting her position back, Su tells him, and Yu is like Ohhhh, yeah, Ni Huang is probably annoyed too, huh? Yet another example of what a raging egoist Yu is, LOL. Yeah, Prince Yu, Ni Huang MIGHT be just a little irritated.

Su says that if Zhou attends the debate the respect he has and the influence he wields is enough to make sure the ruling goes in Yu's favor. Yu asks how a kid like Mu could possibly convince such an eminent scholar to come, though? Well, we will have to wait and see, Su says, and anyway him trying can't hurt, now can it? (Mu must have some very detailed instructions because yeah he doesn't seem like a natural choice for persuading a politics-hating anti-social Confucian scholar to come to the palace. No offense, Mu, you're a dear. But it's true.)

Cut to Mu making his try. He is out in the mountains somewhere at the base of a really long flight of stone steps, pacing impatiently. Soon a kid who is probably an acolyte of some kind comes rapidly down the steps to meet him. He has to keep his eyes on the stairs the whole way to keep from tripping on those robes, poor thing. Once at the bottom, he tells Mu that Master Zhou says he no longer cares about worldly affairs, nor does he accept common visitors. Please head home. Well, so much for that trying, Mu.

Mu protests that he has something he needs to show Zhou. The kid starts trying to shoot him down, but Mu ignores him and takes out what looks like . . . a carving of a beetle or cockroach or somesuch insect? Gross. Anyway, Mu says this is a token from an old friend of Mr Zhou, and was Zhou Su's teacher once upon a time or something, is that why he is so smart what's up

You won't recognize [this token], Mu tells the kid in that earnest, engagingly open way of his, but Mr Zhou will. Show this to him. The kid takes it and looks at it skeptically, which is exactly what I would have done in his place. We flashback to Ni Huang giving the token to Mu, telling him to keep it safe. Mu strides off all purposefully and the camera lingers on Ni Huang, who is looking at the note that came with the bug rock, that has Zhou's address on it, basically. Then the scene changes and I didn't know what Ni Huang was up to but she takes another piece of paper out of a chest and FREAKING HECK IT IS A LETTER FROM LIN SHU FROM WAY BACK WHEN SHE IS GOING TO COMPARE THE HANDWRITING ISN'T SHE OMG OMG OMG

HOW DOES THIS SHOW. KEEP. BLINDSIDING ME WITH THE SADS.

Also, if any more confirmation was needed, this is final definite proof to us that she is indeed convinced somehow that Mei Chang Su is Lin Shu. She compares the two papers and she looks so nervous, poor thing, she has finally 100% admitted to herself that this is what she believes, and what a thing to hope for so improbably after so long. But as she looks with increasing distress from paper to paper she exclaims Why would the handwriting be different? And her hand starts shaking and she looks on the verge of tears as she wonders if she has been reading too much into something that isn't there, and ughhhh, Ni Huang. This is so cruel. Is she going to backtrack now, after getting so close? That would be MADDENING. But at the same time there are like 40 episodes left, so idk. (Also I TOTALLY thought the handwriting would match, so well played, Mei Chang Su. My question now is did he teach himself to write differently because he is just That dedicated to this deception and intelligent enough to anticipate someone might recognize his writing, or is it his actual physical transformation that made his hand write differently? I guess I might never know. Also I remember at this point that Jing already saw MCS' handwriting when Su gave him a list of officials to befriend, and yeah he did not notice anything at all lol oh poor Jing.)

Back at Zhou's temple home the boy is running down the stairs again. He asks for Mu's surname. I'll ask about it, he says when Mu answers, and runs up those long long stairs again. All these scenes are so awkward and funny, that poor kid. Also I need to point out that when Mu is concentrating he sticks his tongue out ever so slightly and rocks forward onto the balls of his feet anxiously, and that expression is THE cutest thing in this entire show so far (sorry flashback bros and Yu Jin's everything) I am desperate please show spare this boy. I don't know what further hell is coming but like PLEASE leave Ni Huang's baby brother alone pleeeease.

Cut to the next day: Debate Day. All the confucian scholars march into the palace like opposing armies, which I guess they sort of are. Today the ideological armies; tomorrow the military ones, who knows? (This is all very fun for me because it reminds me of the Ancient Chinese roleplaying game I had to play in my honors history class back in college. We all had to memorize Confucian sayings and debate our points using Confucius to try to persuade the classmate who had to play the Emperor to support our plans and stratagems and and it was so fun to engage in that sort of mind game. That experience is partially why I love this sort of stuff in Chinese film. And also I wish this show had existed back then because it would have been sooooo much easier for me to make up a Chinese name for my character I was RPing as.)

ANYHOO.

Yu looks nervous, actually, much more jittery than usual. CP, meanwhile, looks supremely smug and sanctimonious. He has had his confidence propped up a lot by his team; clearly whether or not this mysterious Zhou shows up will determine whether or not Yu wins his case. Yu was obviously not anticipating CP gathering such a good team of scholars to back his case with. Using Yu's own tricks against him, how dare he! Yu has gambled his father's good opinion for the chance to hurt CP's standing, so the ramifications for him if CP wins the case (or even just blusters enough to prevent Yu from having a clear victory) are dire. He really needs MCS to pull through for him here.

The ominous whispering sounds of the scholars' feet as they enter the palace, combined with the boom of the gong or bell (the Golden Bell, we learn in a sec), are wonderfully atmospheric. We cut to MCS who hears the bell sounding and looks up from where he is reading a book at his tea table, and he actually looks worried. It isn't often that we have seen our man in suspense thus far, so that is notable. He leaves his table and its tiny brazier (WHERE ARE YOUR FURS LIN SHU SOMEONE TATTLE ON HIM TO THE GRUMPY DOCTOR PLS) and goes to stand in the doorway yearning to know, surely, what is going on in the palace. Everything is up to Mu and (funnily enough) Yu, now, and that must be very difficult for Su to accept and trust. Su asks Li Gang if Mu has returned yet; No, is the answer. Li Gang hesitantly asks if Su is hoping too much in expecting Master Zhou to travel to the capitol just because of a jade cicada. Oh, is that what that bug is. Okay. I still don't get it, but okay. It's been years, Li Gang reminds Su. But Su is 100% certain that this is enough to bring Zhou; what he is not confident in is Yu's ability to stall the debate long enough for Zhou to arrive, LOL.

And now! DRAMATIC! CONFUCIAN! DEBATE MONTAGE! I freaking LOVE this show.

Yu looks a bit embattled, but he is clearly trying his darndest. I wonder what the actors are saying, obviously I cannot even attempt at reading lips. CP looks way too confident and calm. Su passes the time of waiting by intensely toying over the lit brazier with the tile he wants to burn with this debate (namely, the Minister of Rites), and he still looks wholly too cold. FURS, people. I wonder what sort of signal will let him know if Zhou has arrived? Or maybe just one of his men will tell him. Just how close WAS Su to this esteemed scholar? Why is he certain the cicada will lure the man from retirement?

(Also he is still not bundled up. Someone needs to teach Su how to wear his furs for function instead of just fashion, this brat)

The tension rises until: HERE COMES MU QING WITH AN OLD MAN WHO CAN ONLY BE MASTER ZHOU, and a more unlikely couple of travelers you could never find. When they reach the palace steps, Zhou stops to bow with such deliberate and slow reverence (a brilliant intro, as we can already tell just from this one moment that yes, this man is a stickler for the Rules and someone to be reckoned with. This show is a MASTER of show-don't-tell) and poor Mu is actually dancing with impatience, he is so frantic but he can't afford to offend the old man by rushing him, ahaha. Bless. I would pay to see a, like, one-shot short film that's just chronicling how incredibly awkward Mu and Zhou's journey back to the capitol must have been. I feel like I have missed out on some good stuff, here.

Zhou's entrance into the throne room is like a thunderclap; EVERYONE notices and is stunned. Jing looks a bit awed and has also never looked handsomer. Yu looks elated; he definitely knows this is Su's work and thus that his victory is assured. And what is extra brilliant is that of course Zhou looks completely impartial, he hasn't even been in the city for years, so the Emperor will not suspect Zhou's arrival to be due to any sort of Yu scheme. Instead, Zhou's return both legitimizes Yu's claim that this ritual business is a Big Deal, AND will make sure the outcome is what Yu wants. Genius.

Su continues his hypnotic dance over the fire with the tile, and the music is so GOOD btw. It's both melancholic and triumphant, but still feels like building tension somehow instead of purely cathartic. In an interesting editing choice, WE the viewer know before Mei Chang Su does that his play has worked and Zhou has arrived in time. We get to see this in person, and then cut back to Su still caught in the throes of his suspense, left out of the action even though he has orchestrated the whole thing. It feels uncomfortable and wrong to be more in the know than Su! But I am sure that is the point. I feel bad for him. I also feel like I should take notes on whenever we the viewer are given more power than Su in the narrative because this might be the first time it has happened, hm.

Li Gang runs in, and that is all the signal Su needs. He finally, finally drops the Minister of Rites into the fire.

Then we get a fade to black transition (not many of those in this show yet, so that is worth noting) to a really odd (and, yes, heartbreaking, because HELLO this is Nirvana in Fire) scene, an indeterminate but short time later, with Su still sitting at that brazier and Li Gang dutifully stirring the charcoal to keep the embers burning. Su is warming his hands at the fire, but then as Li Gang watches in worry and then dismay, he reaches his hand further into the very embers, as if trying to pull something out of the charcoal. And of course he burns his fingers, and snatches his hand back, and he just starts to laugh, helplessly and bitterly. This is so sad you guys. The worst is just watching him trying to calm himself and lock himself back under control, we never get to see Su raw and emotional yet, he is always caging what he really feels. To see him break for a moment and then have to fight for that control again is just really hard to watch. It isn't healthy to try to keep all that bottled up, Su! It makes you snap in stupid ways--by reaching out to touch Nihuang's hair, for example, or to touch an ACTUaL FIrE PLS DONT DO THAT.

(This reminds me I still have no idea why this show is even called Nirvana in Fire everything has been very cold so far because winter but still. I mean, obviously the main fire element highlighted so far has been the brazier, even in the opening credits, but idk. I'm going to have to keep that question in mind and maybe I will get an answer some episode.)

So Li Gang watches in no small amount of horror and concern as his beloved leader is just madly laughing/crying over his burned hand. And then he and we are both treated to THIS lovely Su monologue:

Do you know that my hands--they once held great bows and tamed fiery steed? But now, they can only stir up chaos here in this hell of schemes. He says it like it's some awful, bitter joke, and Li Gang looks so worried and upset, and I'm with him on this 100% this is awful and this scene definitely makes that coup of a victory seem a bit hollow. Su is winning, and yet he is so MISERABLE I can't. This scene takes all the happiness out of this episode's victory, because this is Nirvana in Fire and we Can't Have Nice Things. Thanks, show.

Cut to: IT'S JINGMUM SHE'S BACK. Have we seen her with Jingyan before, I can't remember if they have shared a scene yet but I don't think they have??? Regardless, seeing them together cheers me up considerably after the last scene, although also every time I see Jing I am stabbed with teh sads anyway just because he is him. He is still wearing his red/blue/gold outfit so he seemingly came straight to his mom after that debate, presumably to share the news? I want a lot more scenes between my fave mom and son duo in future episodes, please.

The music is still soulcrushingly beautiful and melancholic as Jingmum approaches her son and asks him what is the matter? and I adore how she says his name, it's so sweet.

I have already started to vie for the succession of the throne, Jing confesses to his mother, and oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. He's making it official. This is It. His mother looks dismayed and confused as she searches his face: You're assisting Crown Prince? Or Prince Yu? Oh, of COURSE she would think that and would be distressed by it! She sounds so disbelieving, but even before she finishes her question, Jing is shaking his head: No.

I am fighting for myself. (I'm going to cry, Jing is fighting for himself, finally, finally)

Jingmum watches in silence (though with an ever so slight narrowing of her eyes, which I am sure is the moment she starts thinking Okay, who put you up to this, boy) as he further explains: I want to get the throne. For my brother, Prince Qi; for Xiao Shu; for everyone who was wronged . . . I have to get the ultimate throne.

Jingmum's face clears and she stops looking upset, instead just looking a little sad. She asks her son: You have made up your mind? Yes, he answers. This is very difficult, she warns him; I know that, he replies. So she takes a deep breath, and she tells her son: Go ahead then. Now Jing looks a little distressed, but when he tries to say something to her, she cuts him off. I have loved this woman in all of her scenes so far, but this scene is hinting at even further depths for her; when she warned Jing about the difficulties ahead of him in winning the throne, she said it as someone who is intelligent enough to know in an instant exactly what those difficulties will be, and her sudden authority here is so quietly fierce, her voice suddenly sharp. Don't worry about me, she says. Be it a success or a failure, what is there to fear as long as we stick together through life and death? And Jing, who had indeed been looking worried/guilty about what his gamble might mean for his mother, just gives his mom this tiny, tentatively reassured smile that breaks my heart. I am so, so excited about what Jingmum's support for her son's play will mean in this show going forward. He obviously thinks the world of her, and so do I. Is he going to tell her that MCS is working for him? Because once she finds out that MCS is responsible I bet Jingmum is going to be CLOSELY watching this strange strategist, and once she is closely watching him, she has to figure him out fast, she seems really smart. In fact, all women in this show in general are all more perceptive than the men, lol, which is fun.

We get yet ANOTHER fade to black, so I feel like that is a signal that this is the end of act 1 for Jing, as well; he has officially accepted his role in MCS' plot, and now the story is going to start racing forward with all the hell that probably entails. The music finally drops away, too, yet another signal that this is the start of a new phase. Next scene is outside the city: we are back with Prince Mu and Scholar Zhou, who are riding together in a carriage that is presumably taking the scholar home after his surprise appearance at the debate. This is the first time we actually get to meet the scholar as a character, and I really like his voice. He asks Mu to confirm that the person who told you to bring me the jade cicada will be waiting for me outside the city. Mu says yes, he will meet you at Lingyin Temple. Wait, Su is meeting him???? Zhou looks thoughtfully at the cicada. And sure enough, when he disembarks from the carriage in the next scene, there is Mei Chang Su waiting for him (wearing one of his fur capes this time, thankfully). Does this jade cicada belong to you? asks Master Zhou, and when Su says it does, then who gave it to you?

Li Chong, Master Li Chong, replies Su. Lucky he had this jade bug on him when he was off in his father's army all those years ago, I guess. He could have left it at home. Zhou looks pleased, and the two of them withdraw from Mu and the retinue to have a moment of private conversation. Zhou asks Su how he knows Li Chong, and Su replies that he was once Li Chong's student. Zhou talks about how Brother Li Chong was the Imperial tutor but also taught many commoners, so he had many students. He did not, however, have many students who he would consider his protégés (which is what I guess the gift of the cicada signifies). I have met them all, Zhuo tells Su. As for you, we don't seem to have ever met.

And the episode ends there, as Su considers his reply! An odd place to cut the episode, I can't tell if the show intended it to be a cliffhanger or not. It isn't much of one, since Zhuo seems rather kindly and curious and not like he is any kind of threat to Su's disguise, though I'm curious how the rest of their conversation plays out. But I guess it was just a convenient stopping point. If this show was released two episodes at a time, it makes more sense.

A lot happened in this episode! It really felt a lot like the close of an opening act, so I am eager to see how the show takes off from here, now that our cast of characters and stakes and goals are all clearly established. Jing is officially in it to win it, Nihuang is officially suspecting Mei Chang Su, and Lin Shu is officially making me cry in every single freaking episode; now that we have Jingmum's blessing, let the fight for the throne officially begin!

#badpoet watches nif #nirvana in fire #badpoet watches nirvana in fire #lang ya bang #nif #nif ep11 #long post #cdrama #badpoet watches

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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It never rains but it pours, aka I went a few months with zero dramas I was interested in (besides NiF obviously) and now I have like FIVE that I’m loving and two of them are still airing help

#but enough with bingewatching come and hug me #i made myself an ice coffee to combat this ridiculous heat wave #and i am sitting down to finish that nif recap rn #will post this evening woo #badpoet watches #kdrama

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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I haven’t started Lawless Lawyer yet because I’m of course still deep in Nirvana in Fire, plus I’m also watching Secret of Three Kingdoms and adding another show onto my watchlist just doesn’t seem wise, but. I want to??? SO MUCH????

#i want to watch ljg tearing up the screen again asdfghjlkhl;#but i want to catch up on secret of three kingdoms and im like thirteen episodes behind stillllll #plus of course nif always has priority #too many dramas #badpoet life #badpoet watches #also i still have like 3 other kdramas i put on hold when i started secret of 3 kingdoms lol #and yet

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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Nirvana in Fire Episode 9 Reaction

In just one week I will be taking to the skies yet again, this time to go visit my dear friend ewokshootsfirst for two weeks! So as of this typing I hope to finish this reaction post before I depart, since I do not expect to get any writing done while I am away, but if I don't manage that feat then, um, sorry, and I guess you are reading this in early February instead of mid-January. (Note: GUESS WHAT it's February I literally resumed watching this ep as SOON as I was back in the US and dramafever stopped blocking my videos (I found out even saved-for-offline-viewing videos are unwatchable overseas the hard way, lol). I did write about half of this before my trip, but the rest is post. While very jetlagged.)

Episode nine begins with a focus on a sign that apparently reads Su Residence hanging over a doorway, so this is our cue that Mei Chang Su has, indeed, moved out of the Snow Cottage. Ironically, his new manor is covered with literal snow, as the fall from Jing Rui's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Night has evidently not slowed, but never mind that. I hate that now whenever I see snow falling at night my first thought will be good time for a murder, btw. Thanks, Nirvana in Fire.

There are lots of workers bustling around carrying furniture and sweeping and mending things and doing other busy moving-house work, and in the midst of them in the middle of a snowy courtyard Fei Liu is building a snowman. Or at least he is piling snow up in a shape that might turn into a snowman. Maybe he is building a SnowMeng to destroy. Su is watching him fondly from beneath a sheltering jut of roof. When a man (might be Li Gang, hard to tell from this distance) tells Su he should go inside, because it is too cold for him out of doors (he looks very bundled up in this scene), he says okay and then immediately is like FEI LIU THROW ME A SNOWBALL which is the exact opposite thing to what he just agreed to, sighhhh. So he starts playing catch with Fei Liu in the snow, and it would be adorable because he looks so giddy and happy, but I'm with his household on this one, GET INSIDE AND GET WARM, MCS. Why do even the cute things on this hell show just make me sad??? A woman also scolds him and tells him to go inside (and again he says okay and doesn't budge, behold Actual Child Lin Shu, ladies and gentlemen), but then a fellow named Doctor Yan shows up, and he looks Serious. All it takes is a harrumph from the imposing-looking doctor, and Su guiltily, reluctantly, retreats indoors. This is an oddly charming scene, but of course in typical NiF fashion it's also terribly sad, because it isn't fair, our hero should be able to play in the snow and enjoy the chill air, and it's yet another reminder of how he is caged: in his invalid body, in his false face and persona, in his self-imposed quest for justice. Strangely enough, this scene reminds me of how Jing Rui described how carefree his friend Su was before they returned to the capitol together. For the first time, I can sort of imagine what that would have been like, and it is heartbreaking.

Young Master Lin Chen is so smart to have sent Doctor Yan over, Li Gang says with a smile, as he watches Su re-enter the house. Ahh, Lin Chen, the sword dancer! Nice to hear his name mentioned again, as I have not seen him since episode one and I quite liked him in that ep. Also a reminder that he was the one looking after Su's health, and it would seem that has not changed.

Meanwhile Minister Gao is happily pouring himself a relaxing cup of tea, cheerfully expounding upon how good he feels now that he has handed the murder well case off to the other ministry as Ban Ruo suggested. If he had kept working on that case any longer, he jokes, I'm afraid that this case might still be around but I wouldn't be. His audience, one of his subordinates, laughs politely and then says slightly apologetically that The magistrate of Lantai County seeks an audience. Gao reacts as poorly as might be expected, all happy relaxation feelings gone, but his officer hastens to reassure him that this is nothing like the murder well case. It is simply that people have spotted a beast on Xiaogu Mountain. Wait, what? That has to be relevant to the plot somehow but as of now it just seems really random. Gao says the other man should take care of it on his own, and expresses his fervent wish that no more cases implicating imperial officials pop up. I don't think he will get his wish; not as long as Mei Chang Su lives, anyway.

Now it is time to check in on what Yu is doing! A new character has arrived to meet with him: this is Minister Qi, and I thiiiink he is Yu's ally in the Ministry of Justice, because he reports that Minister Gao took Ban Ruo's hint and sent all case materials to the Ministry of Justice, and Yu responds by saying that now he knows that the case is in Qi's hands he no longer worries about anything. Minister Qi smiles way too much, it's creepy. Well, smile while you can, mister; I am certain MCS will come for you eventually! Qi reminds Yu that if they manage to take down Lou Zhi Jing then Yu will be able to hopefully install one of his supporters in the highly influential Minster of Revenue position, further growing his political power. Yu definitely knows this already, so this is just early-episode exposition to remind the viewer of where the stakes are in this situation.

Cut to: Mei Chang Su again, and AHH I LOVE THIS SCENE. Mainly because it introduces what is one of my favourite bits of MCS Extraness™ so far, namely, the game pieces. Yeah, that's what I want to call them: these wooden tiles carved with a lot of writing I obviously can't read. Are they supposed to be a visual nod to mahjong, with its eliminating pairs of pieces from the gameboard? (Since as is revealed in this scene, Su is balancing how he is crippling CP and Yu by taking out their allies in even matches?) Anyway, he is holding two of them meditatively, as he sits in his new manor, and when Meng shows up to ask what he is plotting (hi, Meng!), Su begins to lay out the rules of this deadly game he is playing with the powerful officials in government.

Yu and the Crown Prince are vying for the throne, says Su. We know this. He then goes on to elaborate, however: each prince has equal power over the six ministries of government. We already know CP has Revenue and Yu has Justice, but now we have confirmation that this equal balance exists. Meng, listening, suddenly frowns and stoops closer: there on the table are six wooden tiles, each painted with the name of a ministry. THE GAME IS AFOOT, WATSON. I LOVE THIS. It's both really cool, a very clever and dramatic visual way of helping the viewer keep track of what is surely about to become a very very complicated game of politics, but also just a little chilling to see Su literally reduce people in the capitol to pieces in his game. Is there a tile with Jing Rui's name on it because I wouldn't be surprised. Just disappointed.

Meng lays each piece out and says what each is, which I appreciate because dramafever wasn't subtitling the tiles themselves and for an instant I was worried I'd have to track down online translations for them (I have tried to avoid any and all googling related to this show because I'm terrified of spoilers). The Ministries are:

Justice, Personnel, and Public Works (Yu's team) Revenue, Justice, and Rites (CP's team)

Not sure why Justice is listed on both sides, unless they are different branches of it or something. Or just a subtitle thing again. Guess I'll find out as I go along.

Meng pauses, considering the tiles, and then looks up at Su, who has been watching him in silence. You are thinking about cutting off their supporters one by one? he asks, looking, I think, a bit concerned. Su smiles like this is a private joke, then replies that he isn’t just getting rid of the six ministries (JUST the six ministries, oh yeah, because obviously that would be underachieving), he is getting rid of our old friend the Duke of Qing (who has been haunting the doings on this show ever since the beginning of episode one!) and the Marquis of Ning as well. Military? Meng asks, and Su confirms. He is looking not just to destabilize the powers that be in government: he means to utterly tear them down. Lin Shu has come home to ruin the lives of everyone who wronged him and to raise up the righteous and guys I'm getting emotional about this I have to move on.

As we already know, the Marquis supports CP and the Duke of Qing supports Yu, keeping that balance of power equal. And now Su starts illustrating to Meng how he has started to tear his foes apart, all the while carefully keeping that balance so that they do not suspect: the Minister of Revenue, Lou Zhi Jing, is done for after the whole Orchid Garden scandal, taking out one person from team CP. And how does Su illustrate this? By picking up Revenue's tile, considering it for a moment, and then casually tossing it into the brazier so it can burn there and keep him warm. Lin Shu is my favourite drama queen, this is so unnecessary and yet so satisfying. BuRN THEM BURN THEM ALL

Furthermore, he reminds both Meng and us the viewers, the Duke of Qing has also been taken down, so that's one less ally for Yu. Su allows himself a tiny smile at this one, and then yep, into the brazier the tile goes. Prince Yu might still want to fight for his ally, though, says Su, and even more ironically he might come to Su for help in that fight. And then, with perfect comedic timing cutting the tension of this scene: in comes a servant announcing that Yu has just arrived for a visit. Meng is impressed by Su's predictive skills, but you can just see the animation leave Su's face, and indeed his entire body; he visibly sags, steeling himself. He may have anticipated the visit, but he is not happy about having to deal with Yu again. He was enjoying showing off to Meng, I think; enjoying being able to share his plans with a friend he can trust.

Meng says ah, I will go into hiding before Yu comes in, and I was honestly a bit disappointed he didn't just do the ol' lampshade over the head and stand in a corner bit or whatever the equivalent of that is in ancient fantasy China, but he exits to hide much more sensibly and now we cut to see Yu stepping down from his carriage at Su's door, and he is wearing this giant collar of almost blue fur, his outfit is exquisite. Oh, and we also see Su return his wooden tiles to where he stores them in a plain wooden box at his side, while meanwhile the Duke of Qing and Minister of Revenue are burning merrily away in the brazier. Still totally legible, by the way, but this doesn’t seem to worry Su so I won’t let it worry me either (but can you imagine how amazing it would be if Yu noticed, ahahaha).

They talk about the Duke of Qing case a little and Yu tries to act like, oh, that's all water under the bridge, no hard feelings. But then he makes a formal bow (!) and asks Su for help on the case! Father has already formally summoned Prince Jing today to appoint him in charge of trying the case, says Yu. Su does a very good fake surprise reaction at hearing this.

(We are also treated to a glorious little scene that basically just consists of the Minister of Justice scurrying to welcome Prince Jing to his office and praising Jing for his military service and commenting on what an honor it is to have him visit (lies) and not-so-subtly asking why are you here instead of resting on your time off from the battlefields? and then Jing turns around with icy deliberation and just fixes him and his sycophancy with the most deadpan, scathing Look, and WELCOME BACK JINGYAN I HAVE MISSED YOU SO)

Back at Su's house he asks Yu: didn't you or the Crown Prince protest Jing taking control of this case? Yu looks unhappy as he admits that the Emperor has forbidden them from getting involved, and further that whatever Jing decides will probably go in the Crown Prince's favor (since, remember, Yu's ally is in the wrong here, and Jing will always be fair). But Yu cannot do anything to interfere, or his dad would be very upset. He also admits that he is worried because he cannot bribe/influence that stubborn Prince Jing anyway LOL. That's my boy!

Su looks a little proud of that stubborn Prince Jing but he does remind Yu that Jing owes him a favor (for shielding him from punishment in the Ni Huang case). Yu just huffs a small, disparaging laugh at that:

You might not know what my seventh brother is like. I have never sen anyone in Imperial Court who is as thickheaded and behaves more like an old fogey. Not even father can handle him at times. I'm afraid that small favor isn't enough to make him obey me.

Priceless. Mei Chang Su, listening to Yu's analysis of Jing, looks increasingly amused, but manages to hold himself in check. He also fidgets a bit with his right hand (all these closeups of Hu Ge's hands are killing me btw I always love watching how people use their hands in film and his are so nice. Yes, I guess I have two fixations on this show: Su's hands and Jing's eyebrows.) which I guess is significant since the camera focuses on it but I don't know why. Maybe that's his tell when he's thinking hard, I'll have to pay more attention in future.

Su says So essentially you want me to somehow control Jing to make sure the Duke is spared punishment? Yu leans forward eagerly: that is exactly what he wants, and if Su can do it, Prince Yu will be extremely grateful. Su keeps fidgeting with that hand. Maybe it's more just a tell of when he wants to kill someone lol

Meanwhile, Jing is making the Minister of Justice's life miserable by reciting the protocol for the trial at him, demanding proper preparations be made, and announcing his Imperial-ordained authority over the trial. Qi tries to bluster and delay by saying he hasn't received any orders from the Emperor yet, so he cannot start doing what Jing says until he gets said orders! Jing blinks, taken aback a bit: I AM the Imperial order, I just told them to you right now, he says. That's not the same as actually seeing official paperwork, Qi simpers, and it's easy to see why he likes Yu, they are both super slimy. Look, Prince Jing, he says, in a very insincere show of apology, I wish I could start helping right away and it isn't like I WANT to make you look bad, it's just that official protocol says I cannot do what you say until I get the paperwork. Aw what a shame. Oh, and also I am already busy with many important cases and am understaffed etc. etc. so you might have to wait a while to get this case started anyway! Poor Jing looks very put out, but he cannot exactly argue. How long does Qi need to prep the case? he asks. Oh, not too many days, Qi replies. It should only take maybe two weeks? How does two weeks sound? I hate Qi. Jing considers, then steps forward. The official paperwork will arrive tomorrow, and I will return here then, he says. By then, think carefully before you answer me. And then he just WALKS like a BOSS out of there, knocking Qi deliberately aside with his shoulder as he goes and totally ignoring the Minister of Justice's attempts at speaking to him further. He's so sick of having to deal with this horrid little man already and he hasn't even properly started the job yet, poor Jing.

Back with Su and Yu: Su tells the prince that what he is asking for is a dead end path. When Yu is confused, Su explains: Yu is very powerful and has everything going for him but he has forgotten the most important rule: that there is one person against whom you must never set yourself, namely, the Emperor. Yu leaps to his feet, alarmed. What? Su is mistaken; he would NEVER go against his father's will! This is a big deal not just because obviously one must not cross one's emperor, but also the emperor is Yu's father so doing anything against him is a huge crime against his filial responsibility as well as his political allegiance. No wonder Yu has such a violent reaction to Su accusing him of such an act.

Our Mei Chang Su, however, is unfazed. Who do you think demanded that Qing be tried to begin with? he asks Yu. Do you think it was the Crown Prince or Jing? No; it was the Emperor, and thus if you try to interfere with the outcome of the trial in anyway you are setting yourself against not one of your brothers but against the Emperor himself. DO look at the big picture, Yu.

Yu sinks back down, shaken. Is there really no solution? Yu asks. Su shakes his head: The Duke of Qing is a lost cause, he says, and I think Your Highness knows it. (This is intercut with the Duke of Qing and his family being dragged out of their house in chains, to emphasize just how Doomed he is.) Yu takes a bracing gulp of tea and says he does not think Su understands just how important Qing is to him. Oh, I do, says Su, with a slight chuckle (you have NO idea, Yu). Yu starts to question why Su left the Marquis' manor so quickly: surely there must be a reason? Su dodges the question, and Yu backs off a little disappointed, but then vows that as long as you are willing to favor me, the gates of my manor will always be open for you. Su doesn't exactly look thrilled by this promise, but that's just what he gets for his deceptions working so well. I'm pretty sure in the novel I remember him literally throwing up after spending time talking with Yu because Yu nauseates him literally that much, so I like imagining that that expression is just his fighting not to hurl face. All of Mei Chang Su and Yu's conversations are made even better by just keeping in mind that Su is spending them fighting not to literally vomit.

We meet yet another new character: Lie Zhan Ying, Jing's adjudant general! He works with Jing so I automatically like him. He also has something of Jing's straightforward, no-nonsense mannerisms, which is a nice way to remind us of the divide between the political and the pugilist lifestyles, I love all the attention to detail in this show. Ying has arrived at whichever political building is holding the plaintiffs in the Duke of Qing case, to collect them and bring them to Jing's manor. The official who meets him at the door is wholly obliging, in stark contrast to Minister Qi's attitude towards Jing earlier. This official also mentions that the Crown Prince sent a message saying Prince Jing is going to all this trouble, so we mustn't hinder him. He also mentions how We are all working for the Emperor here, so basically Mei Chang Su was 100% correct in his advice to Yu and Yu has dodged a bullet by taking his advice and not trying to mess with the case. His meddling would have been VERY obvious and would have made him look VERY bad.

We return to Su and Yu, the former of whom is apparently walking the latter out. Yu takes a moment to ask if there is any further advice that Mei Chang Su wishes to impart? In my opinion, replies the very innocent and unbiased Divine Talent, it's best for Your Highness to abandon Duke of Qing State now and support Prince Jing. YOU SNEAKY CAD I LOVE YOU. (Sidenote: I forget if I mentioned this before, but the lighting work in this drama is delightful. This scene, for example, looks so very cold even without the clouds of breath curling up when the actors speak, it's lit so everything and everyone looks so frozen and sharp and blue. I'm yelling at my screen for Su to go put that gorgeous fur collar back on, even Yu is wearing his furs for goodness' sake, BEHAVE, LIN SHU.)

Yu is taken aback but considers. Jing is a prince, he says, and is acting under Imperial decree. No one, therefore, would think to stand against him; what does he need Yu's support for? Okay, so he has seemingly conveniently forgotten that that is EXACTLY what HE was planning to do just a few minutes ago. After a moment he grudgingly concedes that Minister Qi miiiiiiight stall things a bit, but that is all. Su, who totally eye rolled when Yu played innocent, shakes his head with a smile. Certainly Jing might need the support of the Ministry of Justice for the case, he says, but he isn't just talking about this mess with Qing. He is talking of all the days to come. And I start cackling at the look on Yu's serious duped face because I swear, if Mei Chang Su successfully tricks Prince Yu into supporting Prince Jing and aiding in his ascension to power, I will laugh myself SICK. THIS IS SO GOOD.

Su calmly explains that there will be more cases to be tried after Qing, and many of them will undoubtedly involve powerful families and wealthy landowners like the Duke. How could Prince Jing handle that alone? If Prince Yu were to throw his political weight behind Jing, then not only would Jing truly owe him on a scale that he could not ignore, but the Emperor would also be pleased because this would help him in implementing his agricultural policy. It is a win-win, Yu! Listen to the Divine Talent!

Sooo . . . you are having me draw Prince Jing over to my side? Yu asks slowly. My cackling intensifies.

Yep, that is correct, Su says, and with a touch of smugness: I have been planning this since the Ni Huang incident.

Yu is most impressed. He presses Su to tell him what the point of this strategy is. Su answers easily: What is the fuss about losing the Duke of Qing State? In terms of military power would two Dukes of Qing State even make up for one Prince Jing? OH, BRILLIANT. When presented like that, it make SO much sense! If you can get Jing on your side everyone is always on about his stubbornness and his lack of subtlety, so he would be the ideal ally. Plus, everyone (Yu and CP included) keep overlooking him because he has zero political power. But he has spent his entire adult life building military power. So of COURSE he would be more valuable a military ally than Qing! LIN SHU I LOVE YOU. AGAIN.

Prince Yu spends a full ten seconds silently having his mind blown (yes, I timed them, because his myriad of baffled/astonished/delighted expressions was HILARIOUS to watch, all hail this actor) but he emerges out the other side with a giddy smile. If I could win Prince Jing over, that would be great! He exclaims excitedly, before sobering a little to add that but judging by his temperment he wouldn't obey my orders to summon the army when I need him. LOLOL I WANT TO SEE THAT AU PLEASE.

Again, Su looks pretty amused by this read on Jing's character. He reminds Yu, however: why on earth would Yu ever need an army? Is he planning on taking the throne by force? WHAT? NO THAT IS CRAZY TALK, says a very worried Yu. That's right, Su. Play him like a fiddle.

We interrupt this scene to enjoy a temper tantrum being thrown by good ol' CP, who is raging about how Yu has essentially done in Lou Zhi Jing. Fine, then, he shouts, I will make certain he loses the Duke of Qing, too! And thus he is following neatly the path Su has laid out for him, effectively disguising the hand of Mei Chang Su in all this. The Marquis, much calmer (he always worries me, he is too clever), says CP doesn't have to worry about the Duke; even if Yu dared try to meddle in the trial, Prince Jing wouldn't back down. The Duke is doomed. Similarly, though, the Marquis points out, Lou Zhi Jing is also definitely going to be convicted of his various disgusting crimes. This means that the position of Minister of Revenue will soon be vacant! If CP acts fast, he can recommend one of his allies to the position before Yu can and thus can take control of that political seat and tip the scales in his favor. CP is mollified by this, but then goes on to scoff at the Marquis' urging that he not be anxious:

As long as Mei Chang Su exists how can I possibly remain calm? No matter where he moves to, you have to get rid of him!

Uh, oh. The Crown Prince storms off and the Marquis does not look unduly bothered by the order. Ugh, Jing Rui, you deserve so much better but your father is a toad.

Back with Yu and MCS, Su is continuing to remind Yu of his place. In the capital His Majesty is in charge of the Palace Guards. Commander General Meng watches over the palace. Should anything go wrong, who would have the chance to launch an attack once the Imperial decree was made? Yu looks so intensely uncomfortable. You're right, he admits to Su. Su reminds him the goal now should be to gain the Emperor's favor.

As to who gets military support, it's just a matter of perspective. What's the point of having [Jing] obey your every word? Even if we were to say at the least that should Crown Prince one day seek to hatch an evil plot and put His Majesty in danger, or to go against his decree, judging from Prince Jing's personality would he wait to be summoned by you to defend His Majesty?

Yu thinks this over, sighs, and agrees. Prince Jing prides himself on being righteous, he says disapprovingly. Oh, Yu. Su reminds him that helping Jing doesn't mean doing anything grandoise, just--be friendlier. It seems I will have to pay a visit to Prince Jing's manor tomorrow for your sake, Su says. He explains basically that Jing is super dumb when it comes to politics and so he must himself intercede to Jing on Yu's behalf to let him know what's up, otherwise Jing probably wouldn't even recognize any favors Yu does for him. Su is so mean when talking about Jing, he must love him very much. Also, this is hilarious that he has justified his comings and goings to Jing's manor to his enemy like this, so now when Yu sees Su with Jing he will just be happy and think they are working for him, while they are all the while working together to burn him down. Yu even bows to Su in gratitude, thanking him for his hard work, and if Yu wasn't such a hateful snake of a man I would feel very sorry for him right now. But he is, so I don't. Plus Su's blank, dead-eyed expression as he accepts this wholly misplaced gratitude has me laughing. He looks like he is 0.0005 seconds away from just turning to the camera and breaking the fourth wall like he's on The Office. Yu also pledges to be personally responsible for Su's safety, no matter what CP and the Marquis try. How many birds has Su killed with this one stone of a conversation? Lots of birds.

Yu magnanimously says Su does not have to walk him out, as he is an invalid and it is still very cold and wet; melting snow or rain or both has been dripping from the rafters of these scenes for quite some time now. Su watches him depart, and then Li Gang rushes up with The Fur and it's like the sight of the thick cloak reminds Su that he is cold; where moments before he had been holding himself with perfect ease around Yu, he now shivers and clutches the cloak close. I am very grateful to Li Gang for taking care of my boy. I wonder if Su deliberately ordered his men not to give him any warm wraps until after Yu left, for appearance's/pride's sake. The two men return inside, and Su explains to a wondering Li Gang that he had to spend a very long time talking with Yu because Yu is difficult to deal with: he is very meticulous. Interesting.Whenever Su admits anyone is a challenge to manipulate I feel like I'm marking off this character checklist in my head: knowing that Su feels he has to tread carefully when speaking with Yu, for example, will add a nice layer of tension in their future meetings.

What is heartbreaking about this conversation is it is one of the few times we have so far where Su really does seem to be at his limit. He just seems so very tired--mentally from the intricate net he had to weave to catch Yu in, emotionally from having to pretend to be so cordial and mild-mannered around Yu when probably all he wants to do is stab Yu in the eye repeatedly (or, like, shoot him in the eye with an arrow, I suppose, wasn't it mentioned that Lin Shu's weapon of choice was the bow? A super awesome choice, by the way, as it is yet another shade of character depth: our hero's specialty was ranged weaponry and now here he is in the thick of the action in the capitol having to deal with all his enemies up close and personal. Just a fun little note), and physically because of the whole, you know, not-so-slowly-dying thing. Let the man rest! Where did that grumpy doctor go??

And, alas, Mei Chang Su cannot take the time to rest. Already he is moving onto the next stage of his plan: he tells Li Gang as they walk along (with Li Gang carefully supporting his boss, I am so grateful for this man) that he needs to visit Prince Jing tomorrow. Oh, and that he will also be bringing some golden chainmail. Whaaaat? Is it going to be dangerous? a very alarmed Li Gang exclaims. Su indulges first in a solid couple seconds of flat, disappointed staring, and then with a most massive eyeroll and silent sigh before he begins explaining, poor exhausted man. This is why he needs someone like Ni Huang on his side, someone similarly brilliant to himself and capable of making the same intellectual leaps he does, so that he does not have to constantly be explaining himself all the time. He just looks and sounds so Done.

The chainmail is to be a gift for little Ting Sheng, he says. That's super cute. But Li Gang disapproves, saying such a gift will be too suspicious coming from the East Yangtze Alliance leader. True, true. But it is odd that Su had not considered that; another sign seemingly of how worn thin he is right now. He asks Li Gang what he should do then (again, odd that he is asking someone else's advice, I cannot recall him doing that before??) but before Li Gang can come up with an alternative (he looks pretty stumped) Su calls Fei Liu (who was chilling on the rooftop, as one does) and tells him he will be giving a gift to Ting Sheng tomorrow. When Li Gang starts trying to comment on this plan, stating and restating the obvious about how Fei Liu is so eccentric no one will think such a valuable gift weird, Su juSt LIFTS his hand without even looking to coVER LI GANG'S MOUTH MID-SENTENCE, silencing him, and then he has the gall to look grumpily at his hand and SHAKE it like "EEW" BEFORE WALKING OFF he is so DONE LIN SHU IS DONE WITH TODAY HIS PEOPLE WOULDN'T LET HIM PLAY IN THE SNOW AND THEN HE HAD TO SPeND HOUrs PRETENDING TO LIKE PRINCE YU AND HE JUST HATES EVERYTHING I LOVE HIM SO MUCHHHH. WHAT AN ICON.

Then we get a hilarious scene where Minister Qi happily reports to Yu that he stalled Jing and sent him away earlier and it was so easy because Jing is a political idiot hohohoho and then Yu steps forward menacingly and is all Who told you to make him leave? and Qi suddenly realizes with a look of absolute horror that he did the Wrong Thing and it's beautiful. This show is so sad and so intense and so emotionally complex and then it every so often just turns into this terrific comedy of errors (that scene with the two princes madly competing for Su's attention at the combat trials always comes to mind as a brilliant example of this) and its so? Funny? This show is a GIFT.

Cut to the Marquis of Ning's manor at night, presumably that night! He has a headache. His son in law--Jing Rui's brother-in-law but also maybe Actual Brother because this family is so messed up, the pugilist dad son whose name I forget--shows up to report that he has sent out some men. Are you confident this time? asks the Marquis. Based on earlier goings on I'm guessing this is yet another attempt on the Divine Talent's life. Over at Su's manor, he is trying to convince a very disapproving Fei Liu that golden chainmail is a good present for Ting Sheng. Once he explains that Ting Sheng is not as good a fighter as Fei Liu and thus chainmail is something he will both like and actually find useful, Fei Liu is sold, and as always I really enjoy this scene between just the two of them, but then they hear a commotion. Go ahead, Su tells a suddenly alert Fei Liu, who darts off. Su then deliberately starts reading a book and ignoring the various sounds of fierce combat coming from outside, lol. Or at least trying to ignore; he's probably just trying to distract himself since he can't go join in. Li Gang eventually reports that all intruders were killed, so so much for the Marquis' second assassination attempt!

Next day we see Su stepping down from a carriage at the gates of Jing's manor. The Sad Music is back and he's got that awful heartbreaking Look on his face again--the one he had when Ni Huang led him to his old house, the one he had when royal grandma ripped my heart out. So I immediately am like OH NO and I try to brace myself for something soul-crushing. But you know what I have learned? You cannot brace yourself for any of the pain this show inflicts. If Nirvana in Fire wants you to hurt, then by golly you are going to HURT, and there is nothing you can do to prevent that.

Because we suddenly get a freaking FLASHBACK. A FLASHBACK YOU GUYS. We haven't had any flashbacks before except to the battle where Lin Shu fell off that cliff!!! And now out of NOWHERE we see a 17-yr-old Jing SMILINGGGGGGG ANd LIN SHU IS WITH HIM AND LIKE IT'S SO CUtE I CAN'T THEY'RE RuNNING UP tHE STePS TO THE GATe AND NOOOOOOOO

AND WANG KAI'S V.O. SOuNDS SO DIFFERENT FROM HIS USUAL JING VOICE It'S SO HAPPY???? MY BOYS WERE HAPPY THEY WERE FREAKING BEST FRIENDS I KNEW IT I kNEW IT and LIN SHU WWAS SO CUUUUUTE LOOK AT THEMMMMM

(Also like they're wearing the same colors so I love that visually, obviously, but also lol Lin Shu changed his WHOLE physical appearance somehow to disguise himself but his clothing is EXACTLY the same what a loser)

So the gist of the V.O. is that my fave boys were each other's fave boys too and Jing got this mansion when he was just 17 and eagerly assured Lin Shu that as far as he is concerned it is Lin Shu's as well because Shu is is best friend and what is his is theirs as far as he is concerned and omg someone make these tears stop

(ALSO he mentions that Prince Qi was the one who found the place for him! How much older was Qi than these two when he died? My impression is old enough to be the impressive cool role model but young enough that they felt personally close to him too. I'm gonna guess mid-20s????)

The flashback ends with the camera lingering to watch the shades of these two laughing, affectionate, bright-faced boys running side by side through the gate and up to the house, running away from us, as we can do nothing but watch them rush blithely forward, knowing what horrible, unfair futures await them. It's so mean, and so effective. I LOVE it. I'm also left shaken not only by the unexpected glimpse of what Lin Shu and Jing's past lives were like and what they both have lost, but by the certainty that this short flashback must surely mean there are MORE flashbacks coming in future and OH NO but also OH yES GIVE ME ALL THE PAIN.

We return to present-day Lin Shu, who is standing gazing up those stairs, watching his past self disappear. This place hasn't changed at all, he says, quietly. It's just like how it was back then. MY HEART.

And now here comes Jing to greet his guest. He bows coldly but politely, and Mei Chang Su pays his respects too. I am in agony. Ting Sheng is very cute and bows all the way to the ground for Su, his savior, and Su helps him up with a smile and he's so sweet with kids you guys

Ting Sheng really lights up when he sees Fei Liu, who proudly bestows his gift on the kid. When Jing realizes what the gift is, he bristles and tries to give it back to Su, saying it is too valuable a present. And Su, wholly innocently, says the gift isn't from him, for goodness' sake, it is from Fei Liu, so go talk to him about it instead! Poor Jing is so confused by this, clearly unsure of how to deal with Fei Liu. The latter of whom promptly snatches the chain mail back from Jing's hands and plops it firmly back in Ting Sheng's arms. Su watches, not even bothering to hide his amusement, and Jing after a moment's inward struggle gives up and invites Su inside, effectively allowing Ting Sheng to keep the chainmail after all. Point to Mei Chang Su! The boys scamper off to play together or fight together or whatever and their fake dads head inside for their own meeting.

(Jing's outfit is especially beautiful today, btw. I missed you, Wang Kai.)

Jing introduces Su to his guard as his friend Su Zhe, and then the two of them retreat further to Jing's private study. Along the way, Su is plainly eating up the place with his eyes, these halls must be full of ghosts for him. He pauses to look out over a courtyard, and Jing pauses too, to confess that all those men they spoke with had been present when Su's arrival was announced: they had wanted to see the famous Su Zhe for themselves. So we took a detour? Su supplies, with mild good humor. Jing's subtly changing expressions here are a marvel: slight embarrassment at being found out, relief that Su is not affronted, a momentary glance of reevaluation like he is sizing up Su again, and then even a small smile as he relaxes just a little. Is our favourite prince warming up to the Divine Talent a little? Time will tell, I suppose! But this tiny exchange is certainly the closest thing to friendliness that has passed between these two so far, and contrasted with that flashback it's like a punch to the gut. Also, the MUSIC. The Sad Music is playing again, but it's being played by a flute or whistle or something instead of the deep strings that usually play it, so it feels tremulous and hopeful instead of melancholic and that makes it even worse and also sooooo much better. Once again, I take a moment to rage at how this OST isn't available to buy anywhere that I can find.

Anyway, they get to the study and it's very sweet how Jing notices Su looks unwell and inquires after his comfort and calls for one of his men to bring in more braziers to heat the room when Su says he is cold because remember Jing doesn't even LIKE Su. He is just a Good Boy. He also congratulates Su on his recent move, because apparently Mu Qing is a gossip and told Jing all about it, ahaha. Su tells Jing the reason for his visit is to express goodwill on behalf of Prince Yu: Jing will now be able to run the trial of the Duke of Qing without any difficulties. Okay, but that is what I was going to do anyway, says Jing, because of course he does. Su wryly asks whether Minister Qi had been helpful? It doesn't matter if he has, Jing responds, stubbornly unfazed. Whether he cooperates or not the case will still be tried the way it should be. He is so totally out of his depth, bless his heart. Su looks so--not happy, but lighter. Jing's unshakeable, forthright virtue must be so refreshing. The contrast between his demeanor in this conversation and his frayed-thin, irritable behavior the previous day is very obvious.

Meanwhile, Ting Sheng is proudly giving Fei Liu a tour of his new home. They go to the military training ground, where Ting Sheng says he spends most of his time. Sometimes even Prince Jing himself comes to train him, he says, and ugh that is the cutest mental image ever. Fei Liu snorts: Jing is a poor fighter, he tells his erstwhile student, in a tone that implies he thinks Ting Sheng deserves better, and Ting Sheng doesn't even defend Jing, he just grins in agreement because if Fei Liu says it then it MUST be true. I adore these kids' friendship and pray nothing bad happens to them in future. It's weird and cute and sort of sad seeing how simple their lives are, largely oblivious to all the machinations all around them and even involving them.

Li Gang, however, tries to hush Fei Liu and remind him to be respectful, and Fei Liu of course responds by elaborating: even General Meng is better than Prince Jing! (Somewhere, Meng probably feels suddenly cheerful and doesn't know why.) Li Gang tries to do more damage control, so Fei Liu continues on: I'm the best, he says. It isn't even bragging, he just says it like it is the obvious truth. One of Jing's commanders overhears this and looks very annoyed by it, to put it mildly. Uh, oh.

Back in Jing's study, Mei Chang Su is quizzing him about how he views the case. Jing lays out how he has examined the evidence and it's simple in his eyes: the Duke is obviously guilty. Su plays a sort of game with Jing by playing devil's advocate and tossing a variety of excuses and loopholes at him and Jing manages to thwart them all: the Duke is guilty, and justice will be served. Su is impressed and very proud of his (former????) friend. Then Su lays out some BRILLIANT advice to Jing: basically, Jing is going to continue to judge over cases that involve wealthy landowners, right? And a lot of them will be guilty of the same crimes as the Duke. But Su says Jing should be careful not to punish them all the same way, even if their criems are the same. Why? Because if they were all punished the same, they would feel commonly wronged by the Emperor and might form an alliance against him, united by a shared anger. If there is no apparent pattern to the severity of the punishment, however, then the landowners will be jealous of/suspicious of each other, and will be focused more on comparing their lot with that of their neighbors', and they will not be unified. BRILLIANT, I SAY. Jing agrees with the wisdom in this plan. Su recommends he lets off some of Yu's guilty allies lightly as a way of saying thanks to Yu for his support. Jing frowns: Yu should be fighting to save the Duke of Qing right now. Why is he instead helping Jing take down his own ally? You are now very important to him, Su smiles, slightly sarcastically. Jing mulls this over. This is all thanks to you, he tells Su. And he should thank him, but . . . Jing does not want people to think that he is friends with or supporting Prince Yu. He doesn't want to side with either of his terrible brothers. Su tries to assure him that people will understand, but Jing is not appeased.

What others might think is not my concern, he clarifies. However, the spirits of heroes still linger. I don't want them to think that I have finally surrendered to the others.

Su tries to comfort him: Since they were once heroes, they will know who you truly are. Jing does not look convinced in the slightest. HOW has he survived all these years surrounded by enemies and ghosts, never able to forget either?

Su stands up and paces the room a little to try to ease some stiffness and numbness in his legs, and then he approaches a bow that is displayed on its own plinth in the room and this is it, even after the flashback, THIS is the moment of this episode that kills me. Because immediately my whole brain is just OMG THAT MUST BE LIN SHU'S BOW FREAKING JING HAS KEPT IT ALL THIS TIME

Su reaches out to touch it, and Jing, who had been concerned about Su's discomfort because he is a Good Boy, immediately SNAPS at him: Don't touch it! Su freezes. Jing leaps to his feet. Badpoet dies.

Su almost whispers his apology, and Jing approaches him, with a very visible hitch in his breathing as he tries to settle himself after his sudden alarm and impulsive reaction. He looks as though he is fighting down the adrenaline rush of only barely avoiding a tragedy. Perhaps he did. But shaken as he is he also looks a little sorry for yelling harshly at his invalid guest. Jingmum raised him right.

Jing tries to explain, his eyes drawn to the bow almost as if against his will: Please don't take it to heart. This once belonged to my late friend. When he was alive, he never liked to have his belongings touched by strangers. Oh, my gosh, he isn't even so protective of this weapon because it is important or of sentimental value to HIM, it's because Lin Shu hated people touching his stuff, and Jing is a Good Friend, a Best Friend, and Su's face, hidden from Jing, looks like he, like Jing, is remembering for a moment this kid who cared about dumb stuff like that, this kid who was Jing's best friend and who is now dead, who lived a life happy enough that such small things could MATTER to him, and then he swallows hard, and bows to Jing, and apologizes for his rudeness, and this is It I CAN'T I CAN'T WHAT IS THIS SHOW HOW HAS IT MADE ME CARE SO MUCH IN JUST NINE EPISODES HOW CAN IT POSSIBLY DRAG ME DOWn FARTHER IN LIKE FIFTY MORE HOW DID ANy OF YOU WHo HAVE WATCHED THE ENTIRE THING EMERGE BREATHING ON THE OTHER SIDE

(Somewhere there exists a happier timeline where Jing tells Mei Chang Su not to touch the bow because Lin Shu hated strangers touching his stuff and Su says okay and then makes his most trollish eye contact with Jing and deliberately starts touching the bow as much as he dang well pleases and that is how Jing finds out Lin Shu and Mei Chang Su is the same person the end)

Meanwhile, a decent distance away from all this misery and bro-angst, the indignant commander at the training grounds is demanding who Fei Liu is since he thinks he is good enough to insult Jing. I'm Fei Liu, the boy replies, as if that is all the answer necessary, and as it turns out--it is! Another of Jing's men recognizes the name as the fighter who arrived with the Lord of the East Yangtze Alliance. The one who defeated Xia Dong and held his own against Meng! Yep, that's me, Fei Liu affirms. Everyone looks very impressed. We also get a scene with Fei Liu taking out some challengers to show off his skills to Jing's men, best moment being where he grabs two men charging at him by the spers they are wielding and just smashes them onto the ground, aha. He's escalating the situation, basically. I wonder if Su was counting on that to happen.

Also meanwhile, at the palace, Yu and CP are arguing in front of the Emperor about who to make the new Minister of Revenue and oh this levity is SO NEEDED my soul is revived by CP's indignant squeak at Yu and the Emperor's fed up You have been arguing for more than an hour now LOL I swear at least half the Emperor's scenes so far have just been him watching his sons squabble. I would feel bad for the Emperor, except for what he did to Jingmum, so I don't. He deserves this. Also I guess he is also somewhat responsible for whatever ruined Lin Shu's life so he doubly-deserves this. He dismisses the princes, who walk out very quickly after glaring at each other sidelong. I would so not be surprised if the instant they are out of sight they start pulling each other's hair or pinching each other or whatever. They fight like preschoolers.

After they are gone, some random official starts telling the Emperor that the princes had the right to express their opinions like that as the question of who will take the position of Minister of Revenue is a very important and pressing one. The Emperor concedes that point but also angrily indicates the massive stack of names in front of him on his table: he has too many people to choose from! The official says someone named Shen Chui is acting as interim Minister of Revenue so he can hold down the fort for now, don't worry about it. The Emperor suddenly narrows his eyes, interested. Shen Chui? he repeats. Aaaaand--end of episode!

A weird ending, but I remember reading somewhere that these episodes aired two at a time, so with that in mind it makes more sense. I don't know why the Emperor is interested in this name, but I know I will find out next time. In the meantime I'm still reeling from all the Jing and MCS goodness in this episode. I missed Jingyan the last couple episodes but he came back with a vengeance for this one, and I am SO excited for wherever the show is taking him and his weird relationship with Su-who-is-secretly-Shu. Terrified, yes, but also EXCITED. Next episode is episode 10 and I am officially in the double digits! Nine episodes of emotional trauma down, sooooooo many more to go. BRING IT.

#nirvana in fire #badpoet watches nif #nif ep9 #badpoet watches #long post #cdramas

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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Nirvana in Fire Episode 10 Reaction

At last! Double digits!

Last episode ended with the Emperor pausing to consider a name. Shen Zhui? he asks his minister. Shen Zhui of Princess Qinghe's family? He is the temp Minister of Revenue? Yes, replies his minister. Cut to Mei Chang Su still deep in conversation with Prince Jing; he still looks cold, poor man. He, also, is talking about this Shen Zhui, asking Jing if Jing knows him. You sent me a message that day to spend time in Cumulus Cloud Restaurant, says Jing. How would I dare not to go? Since I went there, how could I not have noticed Shen Zhui?

Shen Zhui is the Vice Minister of Revenue, the department in charge of managing the national treasury. Under Lou Zhi Jing's leadership it has become wholly corrupt (gee, wonder why), and according to Su, this Shen Zhui is the only man he knows of who could turn things around. Jing says he gets along well with Shen Zhui, so that is all well and good, but Shen Zhui also does not support either of the Jerk Princes, so there is no way he will be promoted to Minister of Revenue. Su just smirks. When the snipe and the clam grapple, it is the fisherman who profits, he says, which is just a show-offy way of saying Don't worry, my dude, I got this. In this adage, who is the snipe and who is the clam, I wonder? CP seems more clam-like to me lol. Regardless, we all know who the fisherman is.

The Emperor is meanwhile musing about how he knows Shen Zhui, and the man is apparently a really good worker. Why, if he has already been acting as the temp Minister of Revenue, has he not simply been given the position permanently? He is accomplished, virtuous, and managing well, so what gives, why has no one nominated his name to the Emperor? Aha, says the Emperor, with dawning delight on his face: I have suddenly realized why he has not been suggested to me! It is because he must support neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Yu! And here we really see the damage the Emperor's quarreling sons have done to themselves, because I am pretty sure this neutral (aka pro-Jing) official is about to be promoted on the basis of NOT being allied to either of them, lol. Oh, the irony.

Prince Jing tells Su that Shen Zhui is lucky to benefit from Su's amazing strategy. Oh, Shen Zhui is the lucky one? Okay, Jing, if you want to play it like that. Sure. Su produces a piece of paper from his sleeve because he is literally magic. Or at least that is what I want to believe. He tells a confused Jing that the Emperor will allow Jing to choose three officials to help him run the trial. He has, however, only picked one so far. Thus Su has prepared a list of good names to choose from (since Jing himself admits he has been so long away from the capitol he simply does not know who to pick).

Meanwhile, Shen Zhui himself (I think, since he introduces himself as the director of the Ministry of Justice) has gone to the Information Bureau and is talking with Xia Dong. He tells her he has been sent by Prince Jing to collect any and all evidence the Bureau possesses.

Prince Jing is giving himself airs? Xia Dong asks coldly. He doesn't even show up for such a huge case? And ohhhh, yeah, I am reminded that this woman sort of--more than sort of--hates Jing, because he is a sympathizer towards the people who she (wrongly) holds responsible for her husband's death during The Event™. I foresee this being a big issue just in general in future episodes. But shoot, I like them both, though! It's really frustrating because they are both laser focused on their responsibilities and they both have very strict codes of conduct and morality that they adhere to, so they would be SUCH good allies! As it is, Xia Dong has the potential to be a major obstacle for all Su's scheming. Ugh.

Anyway, Xia Dong chooses to interpret Jing's actions as being insulting towards her Bureau, insulting Shen Zhui himself by saying he is also too minor an official. Shen Zhui assures her that is not Jing's intent: Jing is in charge of the trial and therefore also has to manage three offices involved, and the handling of evidence has always been the Ministry of Justice's duty (which is something you would think Xia Dong would know, but I can't tell if this is a case of for-audience-benefit-only infodumping or if she is deliberately ignoring that. I would like to assume the latter, as this show is usually pretty good about couching infodumping in pertinent and rational character interactions). Shen Zhui also gives as good as he gets, reminding Xia Dong that he is only a half-rank below and anyway the question of his rank is irrelevant since even a junior official, if given the judge's seal, is entitled to collect evidence.

Shen Zhui continues to outsass Xia Dong until she says Well, what if I just don't give you the evidence? Oh, come on, woman, don't be petty. Shen Zhui says that question is moot because she won't refuse the evidence, that would be a move unbefitting of the Intelligence Bureau. True that.

Jing, meanwhile, has read Mei Chang Su's list of names and is smiling a little wryly. Strange, he says. He spoke truly when he said he does not really know people in the six ministries. But he has met a few people seemingly by chance since he came back to the capitol, and bizarrely enough most of those people are on this list! What a raaaaaandom coincidence, Mr. Divine Talent! Su looks a little pleased with himself. Okay, a lot pleased. Su also tells Jing he doesn't have to go out immediately to recruit these people to his side, and when Jing comments that that is an unusual thing for a strategist to say, Su pauses and replies that, well, the sooner Jing builds a group of loyal followers, the sooner Prince Yu and the Crown Prince will recognize him as a threat. Good point. Furthermore, Su says, what is most important isn't the speed of how Jing gathers his group, it is the quality of men these supporters are. If Jing really wants to remain true to himself--something that is obviously very important, we have already seen time and time again--then it will be easiest for both him and Su if the allies he recruits are similarly good people. It will mean less hurting people and less scheming, Su says, as a reminder I think of that promise Jing drew out of him in their previous meeting: that he will hurt as few people as he possibly can on his quest to give Jing the throne.

Jing considers this with that bitter smile he too often gets, and replies that it will be hard for people like that (eg. people who are virtuous/not corrupt/not supported by the Jerk Princes) to reach the top, though. True, Su answers, but he hopes that Prince Jing can help change that, as these people are perfectly capable of running things, all they need is an opportunity.

Your highness can feel at ease to make friends with them sincerely, Su tells Jing. Leave it to me when the time comes to make use of them if needed. Aaaaaand there it is, the sad gut punch feeling. It's back. Jing does not look exactly happy about this, but he does not argue, either. He just looks . . . like he is thinking. Hard.

(In fact, Jing seems constantly thrown off-balance during this conversation, obviously he has his preconceptions about what strategists are like, and therefore what Su is like, and we know he hates that sort of person. But Mei Chang Su keeps surprising him and you can see Jing repeatedly pausing to re-evaluate this man and try to figure him out. And, in last episode as well as in this one, he seems like he is relenting towards him just a teeeeny bit, maybe even unconsciously. You are not going to figure him out, Jing. He doesn't want you to, the self-sacrificing fool.)

We cut to after the Sad Boy meeting has concluded, with Jing and Su walking out side by side. One of Jing's men runs up yelling their names, and I'm immediately like HERE IT IS WHAT HAS FEI LIU DONE. Su looks amused. Jing looks a bit alarmed. All three head towards the training field. Oh, and Jing mentions there is a beast that has been bothering people near the east suburbs, which must be that beast that was mentioned last episode, and I'm so confused because what the heck is this about??? Officials have come to borrow some of Jing's soldiers to help catch it or kill it or whatever. Su asks why this matters, which I agree with (though I will just go ahead and assume he knows exactly what is going on because stuff like this is always his fault anyway), and Jing says the issue is that Zhan Ying (who?) wants to catch the creature alive to find out what it is. Oh, okay. So definitely catch it, then. Huh. Su says if Jing does manage to catch it, make sure to let him take a look because he is curious. Sure, says Jing. Seriously what is going on.

Out at the training grounds, Fei Liu has apparently worked his way up the ranks to duel the commander (Actually I forget his actual rank so I’ll just say commander and if I’m wrong then whatever I just remember he is higher up ish) that was so huffy at him to begin with. I like to think this means he has methodically defeated Jing's entire army bit by bit during the time it took Su to have a chat and drink some tea. They start fighting right when Su and Jing show up to watch, and Fei Liu immediately blocks and catches his opponent's attack but instead of just demolishing him then and there he just holds him still so he can admire his opponent's sword, lollllll he is still a baby troll yet but he is learning from the best. I loved this fight. Super humorous and the emoting of the actors throughout the choreography was great, the kid who plays Fei Liu was maybe the most animated I've seen him play the character so far. Su is enjoying watching: I rarely see Fei Liu enjoy himself this much, he tells Jing. Then the commander flicks a secret switch on his sword that makes it fling a batarang at Fei Liu basically lol but Fei Liu is NOT to be played with and he just catches it out of the air and looks really excited, like he has just found the best toy EVER. Watch out, man, he is totally gonna take your sword home with him.

But then the commander notices Su Zhe is watching, and so he pulls a dirty trick and shoots another small blade--but this time he is aiming at Su, not at Fei Liu. Booooooooooo. All Fei Liu's delight turns to panic in an instant, and he races through the air to catch up with the blade because physics? What physics???? I don't thiiiink he manages to catch it but also I lost track of the blade in the air so idk. I think it just missed. Su is fine, though, didn't even blink, because deep down he's a super awesome warrior with nerves of steel that's why.

Fei Liu whips a look of pure rage towards Jing's oblivious commander, who is laughing heartily as he cheekily calls out to the poor scholar who he thinks he just frightened: Sorry about that, it was a mistake! You must have been shocked, having never seen weapons before since you're just a feeble scholar chap, ohoho! Oh, bro. Bro, nooooo. Su is absolutely stonefaced, as is Jing, and slowwwwwwwly this commander realizes that what he just did wasn't a joke. It wasn't a joke at all. He tries to apologize for real this time, but it is too late. Also Fei Liu was totally going to break his neck but Su stopped him.

Su icily tells Jing’s man that he doesn't owe Su an apology; he owes one to Jing, his commanding officer who he just shamed with his rash actions and lack of respect. I actually feel sorry for this soldier as he visibly shrinks during this whole scene, he only wanted to defend Jing's honor after all, but by doing so he gave into pride and ended up embarrassing him instead. Poor man. Su is absolutely merciless. It's kind of cool to see him being so relentless because usually he plays coy in his interactions with people. But I still feel bad for the commander because he obviously loves Jing, he was just sort of an idiot about it.

I have long looked up to Your Highness' disciplining of the army, Su tells a VERY upset-looking Jing, but I am greatly disappointed by what I have witnessed today. Army discipline is so lax. How could they be favoured by His Majesty? It seems that Your Highness' presence in the army isn't even that of a pugilistic lord like me.

Jing's general legit looks like he is about to cry by this point. He drops to his knees and begs for Jing to punish him, poor man. This has been eye-opening for me, Su tells Jing, and then he swans out like the troll he is. Su, shut upppp, they get it already. Fei Liu goes with him. I feel really bad for Ting Sheng who is still standing there just watching this all go down lol I hope he doesn’t feel any of it is his fault.

That guy who first told Jing and Su something was happening on the training grounds tries to intervene on the shamed general's behalf, telling Jing to calm down and not be so furious, because the men realize what they have done wrong. Heck yeah they do, Lin Shu chewed them out good. But he also sort of set them up so idk.

But Jing will NOT be calmed down. He is livid. Qi Meng disregarded military regulations and offended his superior, he says. He is to be beaten 50 strokes and demoted to centurion. DUDE, that is harsh. And then he storms away, with cute little Ting Sheng running after him like a puppy. I kind of want more scenes of the two of them together because I bet they would be adorable, I don't think we have ever seen Jing and Ting Sheng alone together yet? Poor Jing, what a bad day. First he embarrassed himself in front of the Divine Talent by yelling at him about touching the bow, and now he embarrassed himself further via his army misbehaving. Don't beat yourself up, Jing, you're trying. Why do you even care what Mei Chang Su thinks of you, anyway, hm? HMMMMMM???

Cut to some time later, probably the next day or so? Jing is receiving the official Imperial orders to judge the Duke of Qing's case. He is still accompanied by that soldier of his that we have seen a few times now, with the fabulous orange collar to his armor, but I don't know the guy's name, or at least don't remember? Jing has him call out the name of all the officials who are to help with the case, but they are all lower officers and he deliberately snubs Minister Qi, Yu's ally in the Ministry of Justice, by not naming him ahahaha. Qi looks outraged, but has to try to play nice because Yu told him to, remember. Ah, delicious. Furthermore, Jing is going to hold the actual trial in the Ministry of Justice. He knows exactly what he is doing. But he also doesn't look very happy about it; I can't imagine he is having much fun with this job.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhui has been officially called to audience with the Emperor, so he IS getting that job! Crown Prince isn't happy about it, complaining to the Marquis that Shen Zhui has been remarkably lucky, and that he guesses he has been too argumentative with Yu lately, since the Emperor went out of his way to pick someone neutral for the position. The Marquis muses in his slow and creepy way that yes, that is true, but also points out how Yu and CP's losses have been equally balanced (like we went over last ep). The Marquis is DANGEROUS, guys.

CP is surprised to hear this, but then admits that come to think of it Yu was uncharacteristically okay with throwing his ally under the bus, so to speak; it was strange that he didn't fight to save the Duke. He stops, eyes widening. Why do I think that it's Mei Chang Su who came up with this idea? he exclaims in rising anger. Oh CP, you are so obsessed with our MCS. He turns on the Marquis: Frankly speaking, why can't you even get rid of a frail and delicate man? LOL AIN'T THAT THE QUESTION.

Marquis finally lifts his gaze to look at CP. He tells CP that Su might be frail, but he is always surrounded by incredibly skilled warriors, so they haven't been able to get to him. Seriously, how many of his men has he lost to Fei Liu and the other guards Su has by now? CP is not appeased: Don't we have our own men in the pugilistic world?

Your Highness, the Marquis says, very flatly, Tian Quan Manor and East Yangtze Alliance are not quite exactly of the same status. Understatement of the year.

You see? Frets CP. This is also what makes me inferior to Yu. He has the East Yangtze Alliance and I only have Tian Quan Manor. The Marquis looks like he is deeeeeply considering something, and he certainly doesn't look happy to hear this, but I wonder if he suspects that Su is just playing Yu. He does seem suspicious, anyway. He is too smart.

And now we cut to . . . a farmer pulling a vegetable cart through the city streets? Eh? But lo and behold--the farmer is actually one of Su's men in disguise, a guy named Tong Lu. He goes undercover to Su's mansion and drops to his knees before our boy in utmost reverence. I love how everyone in the Alliance just absolutely worships Su??? It's so cute???? But also, like, relatable

Su tells him to get up and also that Mr. Shisan and I will rely on you to keep us in contact. Oh, cool, so undercover vegetable man is basically a telephone between Su and Shisan, the spymaster at that music house with the weird stalker girl. I remember him. Tong Lu says he won't fail. He'd better not, is all.

In gentler tones, Su informs Tong Lu that Lou Zhi Jing is imprisoned, and will definitely be executed. Write home to your mother to inform her of this news, he says. Tong Lu bows in thanks: You have avenged the death of my younger sister, he says. OH WAS HIS SISTER ONE OF THE MURDER WELL GIRLS? That would certainly explain his loyalty to Su!

Li Gang elaborates: Lou Zhi Jing had the Crown Prince backing him up. If Lord Mei had not made great effort to come up with this plan, those innocent souls would have been buried deep down in the well forever. Su looks sort of happy listening to this; he has done a Good Thing. No matter what Questionable Things he has done and will have to do to see his own vengeance realized, here at least he has done Good.

I guess this also answers my question from earlier about how the heck Su knew about the dead girls in the well! It's very cool when this show ties loose ends like that, it is so smooth about it. Tong Lu says he had not expected Lou Zhi Jing to be taken down so quickly, and Su actually apologizes for taking so long: we had to wait for the right time. I hope that your family won't blame me for doing so. Tong Lu kneels again, almost in tears: on the contrary, he and his family are sooooo grateful. Ugh, okay FINE I guess this was worth tricking Jing Rui and Yu Jin into that corpse well. Maybe. I still wish Su had somehow managed to make Yu the one who fell in and found them instead but I guess that is asking too much of even the Divine Talent, lololol

Cut to Mei Chang Su alone in his study later, poring over those wooden tiles we have seen once before, the ones with all the names of the ministers on them. He looks so TIRED :(

Li Gang comes in: You asked to see me? He says. Su looks up, a little more animated. We have already finished with the Orchid Garden case, he says, and the Metropolitan Government Office must be calm now. It's about time to send Gao Sheng another case, he says, LOL poor Gao Sheng. Su invites Li Gang to flip over a tile, as he has now arranged them all in a line facedown. Hesitantly, with a little impatient prodding from Su, Li Gang does: he has flipped the Ministry of Personnel. PRINCE YU’S Ministry of Personnel, he says, meaningfully. Ok so it seems to me like taking down another one of CP's Ministries would make more sense at this point, since CP is already convinced Su is out to get him and Yu right now thinks Su is on his side, but you do you, Mei Chang Su. You wanted to throw random chance into the mix of all your plotting? Fine, then. Su does look a bit troubled and immediately drops into Deep Thought. ALSO! His hand fidgeting is back again, so I guess that IS a tell for when he is thinking??? After a moment he signals Li Gang, still deep in thought, and tells him to Have Shisan and Gong Yu make some preparations. HMMMMMMM. I don't like getting Gong Yu more involved, she still bothers me for reasons unknown.

Cut to a montage of a couple of courtesan girls putting on their ancient Chinese makeup, which is pretty cool. I've watched a video about this makeup before and I like the lipstick papers. Theres some voiceover that makes it seem like they are out to get someone, and again they are motivated by vengeance. Su has gathered a lot of vengeance-seeking people on his team, which I guess makes sense but it's another level of cool to see how he is managing to give all these other people closure even as he seeks his own. One of the girls' voiceover says their younger brother was killed at the age of thirteen by some rich kid and since they were poor the family never got justice. Qiu Ze is the name of the murderer. Going by Su's track record, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Qiu Ze is about to get into a LOT of trouble.

The scene thus set, we drop back into the action as a new customer arrives at a pleasure house, where the lady in charge is trying to tell him the girls he wants--Xin Liu and Xin Yang, so I guess they are the sisters--are ill and therefore unavailable. Nonsense, this Master He says: If any of his wives or maids were to annoy him he would beat them to death! You want to try him by saying no now? Wow, what a charmer he is. And there is Gong Yu, intercepting him on the stairs seemingly by chance. He is astonished and asks her why she is in this brothel instead of Heavenly Music House. She replies that she was visiting the ill twins. The story the brothel madame was telling him being seemingly confirmed, He gives up on the twins and instead tries to persuade Gong Yu to drink with him. To his shock, she agrees, merely asking him to wait while she changes clothing.

While she changes, Gong Yu chats with the girl helping her. I heard that Miss Xin Liu and Miss Xin Yang were upstairs with Master Qiu right now, the girl says MOST innocently. Exactly, Gong Yu says, ALSO TOTALLY INNOCENTLY. Young Master Qiu is handsome and dashing. He is really compatible with both sisters. I'm so happy for them. The girl helping Gong Yu is like Wow, you must be a saint, saying you are happy for them while you have to put up with that AWFUL Master He, what a loser he is. Oh, yes, it is a trial, Gong Yu agrees, but sisters should help each other, after all. That Young Master He has been vying with Young Master Qiu for years. He thinks too highly of himself. Master Qiu should teach him a lesson. And while these girls are loudly, innocently gossiping, Gong Yu's got the most wonderfully calculating expression, as she keeps looking at the wall where she knows that Master He is eavesdropping and growing more and more enraged. At this point, he storms off, and YUP, HERE WE GO. Gao Sheng, I hope your calendar is clear because I have a Bad Feeling About This.

Sure enough, He grabs his men and starts tearing the brothel apart hunting for Qiu. The sight of him repeatedly busting down the doors of private rooms, yelling It's none of your business! at the startled people inside, and storming to the next one was hilarious to me. Gong Yu silently stalks after him, the only calm person in the entire brothel by this point. Oh, and this is a spectacular set, by the way, there's a few long tracking shots wherein people walk down halls and up stairs and things and so that is pretty cool. We don't get many long tracking shots in this show, so that stood out. How many of these sets did they build specifcally for this show and how many are reused from other productions a la BBC, I wonder? I also wonder about that about costumes. Hm.

Anyways, to get back to the actual plot, He finally smashes into a room where he finds Qiu and the twins who want Qiu dead all sitting together. Well, that does not bode well for either man. As both have been established as being scum of the earth, however, I do not feel very badly for either of them. He charges in and attacks the confused Qiu, and they start brawling while the twins implore them to stop in very convincing distress. At one point they beg He not to fight anymore and not to break anything, and he responds with I'll pay for it! and charges back towards Qiu, which made me laugh. What a loser.

He snatches up a very expensive and heavy-looking vase, and Gong Yu calmly steps into the doorway and flicks a small object of some kind--a disc or something--into the back of Qiu's leg as he tries to stagger up to meet the attack. The result is that Qiu falls down, and the enraged He, seizing his advantage, brings the vase down on He's head so hard the vase shatters. He freezes, shocked--he did not mean to kill Qiu! But that is definitely what he did, as Qiu slumps over with blood running down his face. The twins start screaming about how Master He killed him! and He runs out in a panic as an even greater uproar starts up. Gong Yu makes eye contact with the twins and just nods at them like there you go, and the twins nod back. Justice is done, and Su's plans move forward.

It is morning, and we move to Prince Yu's manor. Ohhhhh, dear. Yu is doing the Ancient Fantasy China version of rushing out of his bedroom with his robe hastily thrown on, asking his servant what on earth is the matter. He finds out soon enough: an old man is kneeling in supplication at his door, crying. This is old Master He, as opposed to young Master He who killed Qiu the night before. Master He instantly starts bawling, wailing almost incoherently about how he only has one heir, his only son, and help him help him help him. I feel sort of sorry for him. But he did raise his son to be a major tool, so you reap what you sow I suppose.

We cut to a little later, and Master He has managed to explain the situation to Yu but he is still crying. To his credit he does admit he raised his son badly, but then he also says that he needs Yu to help save him anyway because he is his only son, and furthermore old Master He's mother adores her grandson and spoils him rotten so if he were to be imprisoned or executed SHE might die of distress as well. Yu is cross. It would be fine if he killed a commoner, he exclaims exasperatedly and WOW, YU, JUST WOW, but he killed Baron Wen Yuan's son! This Baron Wen Yuan is an important man of important lineage and so Yu is saying he cannot cover up the murder. If he did, Baron Wen Yuan would have the right and the connections to report obstruction of justice to the Emperor himself, and no way is Yu about to let that happen to himself. Master He considers this and then just hurries to bow and beg some more (the way Yu is increasingly eager to stop this man begging and sobbing at him is so funny. Every time He starts sobbing Yu is just oh no, not again He can't take it), saying Wen Yuan isn't even a brave man, he probably wouldn't do anything. Oh no? Counters Yu. YOUR SON JUST KILLED HIS SON. That is enough to make even the timidest man wild for justice to be served. Master He, stumped, just starts crying again. He is very pathetic and sad. Also, when Yu tries to calm him by asking What's the hurry, he says Gao Sheng has already sent some men to arrest his son this morning.

Cut to those men standing awkwardly outside of He's manor because no one will let them in, lol. They don't have authority to break in to make the arrest since He is such an important official, so they are just stuck demanding that young He comes out. Which I'm just gonna go ahead and say will NEVER happen. But they keep calling out his arrest warrant VERY loudly and gather quite a crowd of spectators and it is all very uncomfortable.

Yu tells old He to give up his son to be arrested and tried for murder. Wait, what?? He explains that Gao Sheng is not going to want to spend a lot of time on this case (which, from what we know of him, I'm going to say is very true), so if He is cooperative with him instead of trying to make his life difficult, he will be grateful to He and close the case quickly. Meanwhile, Yu's team can make sure there is enough confusion of evidence and such that the closed case will be transferred to the Ministry of Justice for review, where of course Yu's ally Minister Qi holds power! And in the review process Qi can throw out the case or acquit or whatever. Problem solved. This was very intereresting, it reinforces the impression I have that Yu is more dangerous to play with than CP is; the Marquis might have come up with a similar long con plan to save He's son but there is no way under heaven that CP would have. Nope. Also such a patient plan with chess-like foresight reminds me of our Divine Talent's plotting, so you just KNOW he is aware this is what Yu should do, so I'm sure he has a contingency to sink their boat anyway. I just wonder what it is!

So Gao Sheng gets the report that He Wen Xin--young He--has in fact been arrested. Gao Sheng is not cheered by this, as he complains what is he supposed to do about this case? He only barely extricated himself from the case involving Lou Zhi Jing, one of CP's biggest supporters, and now he has to deal with a murder case involving the son of He Jing Zhong, one of Yu's important allies? Poor Gao Sheng, he just can't win! I have already offended the two most powerful princes in a row with two big cases, Gao Sheng says glumly. It seems that I might not stay Metropolitan Governer for long. His officer tries to tell him to cheer up beause New Year is soon and maybe his new year wiill be nicer. Yeah, I doubt it. Gao Sheng is not impressed by this attempt at comfort.

We now have a time jump! It is a few weeks later and dead Qiu's dad is hounding Minister Qi about why hasn't He Wen Xin been punished yet??? Qi tries to make the excuse that there is still a lot of paperwork for the Duke of Qing case, so they are trying to move as fast as they can on He's trial but they are unavoidably delayed. Wen Yuan is NOT having it. He immediately counters with how they somehow managed to close the Orchid Garden case really fast (hey there, Jing the efficient judge) and that was a very complicated and old case, but somehow this straightforward murder case with many witnesses from only a few weeks ago is taking them forever? It makes no sense. Qi blusters some nonsense about um your son's case isn't simple either bye and scuttles away as fast as he can, leaving behind a very irate baron.

Cut to: Mei Chang Su, looking as handsome as ever in his blue toned robes! He is being visited by the Good Boy Duo, Yu Jin and Jing Rui! YAYY WELCOME BACK BOYS. Yu Jin is admiring the zither in Su's room, while Jing Rui is pacing back and forth in the courtyard. He is clearly still very upset about the whole assassination attempt thing. Also Su is watching Jing Rui pace and I can't decide why but it makes me worry. Does he feel guilty, or is he just bracing for step two of whatever plan he has for Jing Rui?

Su suddenly asks Yu Jin Has Jing Rui been sulky lately? Yu Jin, usually so smiley, sobers a little as he comes to sit with Su. Yes, he has, he admits. And Jing Rui hasn't been able to get out to take his mind off whatever is bothering him because it is so cold and snowy. Oh, but that reminds him! Su, it is perfect weather for hot springs, do you wanna go? The best one belongs to Prince Supreme Ji. (Prince Supreme--so this means Ji is brother to the Emperor?) Anyway Prince Supreme told Yu Jin to come with friends whenever he likes, so Yu Jin is extending an invitation to Su because he is the Sweetest Soul. Su declines, but has some questions about the Prince Supreme. Is Ji the Emperor's youngest brother and uncle to the princes? That's him! Yu Jin says brightly. Oh cool, so I was right, he is a brother to the Emperor. Su looks amused while he listens to Yu Jin's analysis of Prince Supreme Ji's character. Brother Su, you really should get to know him, Yu Jin says cheerfully. Su just smiles.

Meanwhile, Jing has been summoned to the Emperor, along with the officials he had help him with the Duke of Qing's case. Jing tells his father that the case is concluded, wanting only the Emperor's final verdict. The findings are handed over: Jing has found the Duke and all accused guilty and they are to be executed, their properties confiscated, and their family lines basically ended. The Emperor reads through the report and is very impressed: *Who wrote this?* The director of the Ministry of Justice, Cai Quan, Jing replies.Cai Quan bows, and the Emperor compliments his work. Jingyan, you have also done quite well, the Emperor says, leaning forward: Aim to finish on a steady note. What is this??? Actual praise????? From the EMPEROR???? For JING????? Su's plans have just inched forward a bit. Prince Yu, who has been standing by and watching, chimes in to say Yep, good work Jing, great handling of the case! Jing doesn't even look at him, but the Emperor is pleased. You too have acted very maturely, he tells Yu. Among all my sons you are the most prudent one who places general interests first and oh come ON you have GOT to be joking. Yu? The most unselfish and the one who places general interests first? This Emperor is literally blind. He asks Yu if reports that Yu helped Jing with the trial are true? Well, Yu says oh so modestly, I was worried he was unused to working with the Ministry of Justice, so I helped him a bit, yes. You are such a saint, says this stupid Emperor, and then he gives freaking YU a load of gifts again JUST like when he stole Jing's credit for saving Ni Huang you guyyyyysssssss I'm so mad. This whole scene the camera keeps cutting to show Jing impassively watching this and it just isn't FAIR lol. But that is why we need Mei Chang Su. Jing really would be helpless on his own, scenes like this make it very obvious.

Yu makes a massive bow of thanks and Cai Quan steps forward looking like he wants to protest about how unfair this is, but a sharp look from Jing has him stepping back, looking unhappy but silent. And just like that, I love Cai Quan. Also just LOOK at Yu's robe, my gosh, he and Jing always have my favorite costumes and the gold embroidery on Yu's sleeves is out of this world beautiful. He is such a peacock.

As Jing and his team leave the palace, Cai Quan finally can speak his mind. He complains about how Jing worked hard day and night and concluded the case perfectly, and yet all he got was faint praise while Yu was showered with gifts and all he did was not meddle in [the case] LOL

Forget it, Jing says. It has always been so. Why bother getting angry? The inherent nobility of such an answer, as well as the blatant evidence of the unfair Imperial bias against Jing, is definitely going to leave an impression on Jing's team of officials here. Jing has just won some friends, whether or not he knows it. Su is so clever.

Jingyan! Wait! comes a call from back up the stairs. Oh great, it is Yu. He runs with mincing little steps down the stairs (and bravo to the actor for managing to run at all in those skirts, a fall would HURT and it looks very difficult lol) to meet Jing, who turns to meet him with a very longsuffering air. Yu is all smiles, almost puppyish in his eagerness to seize on the moment and work on befriending Jing like Su told him to LOL. Hey, don't be bothered by what happened, the Emperor totally means to give you presents AFTER the case is officially closed, is all, he tells Jing. And after a moment of slightly uncomfortable silence: Oh, and I didn't deserve the presents I got, either, I did nothing. Why don't I send the Emperor's gifts over to your manor instead? Jing's expression as he watches this fawning display is cold, cold, cold amusement. You're too polite, brother, he says. I only specialize in war. I have no need for those items. Surely my sisters-in-law would like them? Yu counters. Um, says Jing, I have only one wife, so nah. Now is there anything else you want to say or can I go?

I LOVE this. It is sooooo nice to see Jing have the upper hand in a conversation for once. Also! The camerawork! This talk is shot with the red carpet on the stairs cutting diagonally across the screen so Jing in his pale robe is backed by the stone steps, and peacock Yu in his ostentatious red and gold is backed by the royal red carpet. GORGEOUS. It's the pugilist vs the politician represented both in the characters and in their surroundings. I love it so much.

Yu looks a bit frustrated but rallies. Yeah, hey, since we are talking, I want to remind you about my New Year's party at my manor! You should come this year, instead of staying away like you always do! And Jing raises one of his perfect, perfect eyebrows: You invited me? he says, sarcasm absolutely dripping from his tone and expression. Ahaaahahahaha. Yu valiantly tries to cover: whaaaat, you never receieved your invitations? Wow, my servants are so inept. Wow. I’ll have to punish them for not delivering your definitely real invitations. How about this: I will deliver your invitation in PERSON this year. Please come, Jing, pleeeeease? Okay, fine, says Jing, and with that he makes his escape. Yu watches him go with an I sure hope all this hassle is worth it, Mei Chang Su look on his face.

Cut to Banruo enjoying some tea while a girl hurries in with news. News about He Wen Xin's brothel murder case. What information have Banruo's spies uncovered???

Cut to Yu Jin and Jing Rui out with Supreme Prince Ji, enjoying some women dancing and women playing musical instruments and women serving them tea and, yknow. All that good stuff. Yu Jin, at least, looks cheerful. Jing Rui still looks very pale and depressed, though he makes an effort to brighten up when Ji brings it up. Oh, poor boy. I love Jing Rui so much, and I know I say that about way too many characters, but it is still true. He is just so good and I want him to be happy and safe. I feel like this is a losing battle I am fighting, but I will keep wanting it anyway and the show will have to prise it from my emotions’ cold, dead fingers.

(Btw, shoutout to that girl who is smiling and gamely massaging one of Ji's arms throughout this entire scene. That would be really hard to keep up for multiple takes, lol, its little details like that and the depth even the extras provide to each scene that is part of why this show is so amazing. The show didn’t NEED a girl massaging his arm there, but her presence is the perfect Show Not Tell insight into Ji’s character. I see you, unsung heroine! Good job)

Ji comes across as jolly, sensual, and generally harmless, but I could be wrong on the last bit. Anyway he likes brothels and pleasure houses and whatever sooooo yay him? Yu Jin mentions how Gong Yu is an unparalleled musician so I guess she is famous. Ji gets melancholy as he remembers the ongoing murder trial about the death at the Willow Heart. Both Xin Liu and Xin Yang won't be able to perform dances anytime soon, he complains, and then he starts crying. Yep, he is a man-baby. And I thiiiiink those were the names of the twins, if I remember correctly.

Oh yes, speaking of that murder trial, says Yu Jin, hurriedly trying to move the conversation along, why hasn't He been sentenced or acquitted yet?? Is he guilty or isn't he?? Oh, he is definitely guilty, says Supreme Prince Ji. I witnessed it with my own eyes!

Yu Jin and Jing Rui look shocked, and that is the end of the episode! This was another setup episode mainly but there was a LOT of set up. I was so happy to see Yu Jin and Jing Rui again, even though I'm still majorly worried about Jing Rui. Missed Meng this episode--and Ni Huang! Where has she gotten to?! And Mu Qing! And basically ALL the women at the palace, and the Princess Supreme . . . UGH so many good characters, I don't even realize any are missing while the episode is playing, but after I am like heyyyy but what about my OTHER faves? I swore I wouldn't get attached, and now look at me. Pathetic.

On the other hand I am DELIGHTED Jing has stepped back into the forefront of the action. His friendship--or, well, partnership anyway but there is a weird tentative friendship mayyyybe starting there however cautiously--with Mei Chang Su has given him a position of power over the oblivious Prince Yu that is just so much fun. May it last a long time. Speaking of that potential friendship between Su and Jing, I'm fascinated to see it progress, because of course it is so imbalanced--Su knows exactly how to befriend Jing so he holds all the cards in their conversations together. As a master manipulator in general he must know how to manipulate his former best friend. But also Jing is a tough cookie. They are both so lonely, but I feel more for Jing's loneliness since at least Su has had an obsession to live for and focus on these past years; Jing has had nothing, and Su did manage to find allies while Jing has lived surrounded by people who hate him or look down on him. Bless Ni Huang for being there for him, I'm sure she has been vital in keeping him alive and sane.

Maybe the coolest thing about this episode, actually, was how it helped explain a little just how Su has gathered such a network of SUPER loyal secret friends. In plotting his own vengeance Su has recruited all these people who also seek impossible vengeance and he is using them and their wants to achieve his own. He is manipulating them like tools in his game, but at the same time he is working so hard to give them what they want, working to the point of exhaustion. He has seemed worryingly worn out these last couple of episodes. It is a very weird blend of compassion and cold self-interest, and ugh I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. I do beliieve, especially with this evidence, that he honestly does not want to use innocent people to hurt them. I just don't know if that is enough to save Jing Rui. Well, actually, all signs point to it definitely NOT being enough. Why, *Nirvana in Fire*, why.

Next up is episode 11! I can't WAIT to see how Su continues to ruin lives. And I also want Ni Huang back. And more Jing! Never leave me again, eyebrow prince.

#nirvana in fire #lang ya bang #badpoet watches nif #nif #nif ep10 #long post #badpoet watches #cdrama

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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whose idea was it to give freaking Shou Tucker a GUN

#badpoet watches #badpoet watches fma liveaction #the same people who gave Kimblee a philosophers stone I GUESS #lol

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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Things I never thought I'd see: General Hakuro saying "I'm your daddy"

#badpoet watches fma liveaction #badpoet watches #fma liveaction

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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@thelonelybrilliance what even is this show and who do I thank

#I know it's going to get awful #because of the golden kdrama rule of #We Cannot Have Nice Things #but it just keeps killing me omg that part of me that adores a knights tale for all the dumb deliberately poorly disguised modernity #is in RAPTURES #hwarang #this was too many screencaps to send to you in message lol #badpoet watches #kdrama life

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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I was skeptical but Ryosuke Yamada is super charming as Ed, live action Ed is super angsty and dorky and I love him

#edward elric #ryosuke yamada #winry: have some pie! :) :)#ed: . . . AL CANNOT EAT PIE OR SLEEP OR FEEL PAIN #winry: . . . have more pie?#I love them #badpoet watches #badpoet watches fma liveaction #fma liveaction

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abadpoetwithdreams · 7 years

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#helpppp #badpoet watches #badpoet watches nif #nirvana in fire #look it's my three faves #minus my ten other faves #so much for not getting attached #*punches self in face*#also this was hilarious pffft

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abadpoetwithdreams · 6 years

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Nirvana in Fire Episode 6 Reaction

I have now mostly adjusted back to my current timezone after all that globetrotting, so I can use some free time to watch NiF instead of just sleeping. Yay!

Episode 6 starts–once again–exactly where we left off last time. At this point I should accept this as the given startpoint for every episode, but it also means I’m sort of worried that they’ll throw me for a loop and start an episode with a flashback or time jump or something just to mess with me at some point. Consort Yue is getting her comeuppance and I’m totally fine with revisiting that moment, obviously. But then the Emperor asks Jing Do you know what you did wrong? and I’m just oh, wait, no, I didn’t want to see this. That’s right. I was outraged when I finished the last episode, not happy. Time to see what Jing has to reply, I guess.

(Also: another scene with lots of Prince Jing close ups, another scene where I keep getting distracted by eyebrow envy. Seriously. From now on just assume that whenever there’s a close up on Wang Kai’s face I’m feeling a double-pang of jealousy and admiration.)

To my disappointment but also relief, Jing does not answer with “nothing.” Instead, he says he did wrong in holding the Crown Prince at swordpoint. Which, eh, debatable, but it looks like that’s the answer the Emperor was looking for. He asks Jing how did he know to go into Zhaoren Palace to save Ni Huang, when he has never gone that way before? Jing, bless his heart, freezes up and you can see how hard he’s thinking, haha. He can’t say who told him–I’m unclear if he knows the word came from Mei Chang Su or if he just thinks it was Meng, but regardless he can’t namedrop because the Emperor will then want to question THAT person, plus he doesn’t want anyone to know that he and Chang Su are in league. At the same time, though, this is Jing. There’s no way he can come up with a convincing lie on the spot like this. He’s stuck.

But just then: Prince Yu to the rescue! Wait, what?? Yep, our favourite moustacheless Jerk Prince has arrived with his usual flair to worm his way into the narrative in the best light possible. So THAT is what Mei Chang Su was doing last episode! He was sending Yu to save Jing before Jing even went to save Ni Huang, lololol he knows Jing so well. I’m in love with how far ahead this man thinks. His whole mind is a chessboard. It speaks to a rather unhealthy level of singleminded obsession and focused energy, but never mind that for now; let’s just bask in his brilliance.

The Emperor somewhat impatiently asks Yu what he is here for this time (aha he really is just done with this whole afternoon isn’t he? Well, good. I hope this gives you a headache, Emperor). In response, Yu tells the Emperor that HE is the one who told Jing to go save Ni Huang. HAAAAA.

This is such a clever move! Of course Yu will be eager to help Jing out here because Chang Su will have presented it as a chance for him to look good in the Emperor’s eyes, ESPECIALLY in contrast to the disgraced Crown Prince (aka moustache Jerk Prince), and even more, now he’s probably going to feel like Jing owes him something. But this is also the perfect cover for Jing, aka the prince Chang Su is ACTUALLY looking out for. I love it. But it’s a very good thing that no one was looking at Jing’s face when Yu said that, because this boy has no poker face whatsoever and his utter confusion and surprise is sooooo obvious, lolll.

Ni Huang’s skeptical-dagger sideeye is much more subtle. I say this every episode recap, but: be more like Ni Huang, Jing.

The Emperor demands details, and Yu very confidently tells this whole story of how he was on his way to visit his mother (filial piety: check!), and his route took him past Zhaoren palace where he noticed the Crown Prince, because how could he not notice such an important personage (respect to his higher ranking brother: check!), and the Crown Prince was letting Sima Lei into the palace. He thought it inappropriate to let an official into the palace (ooh, he’s so conscientious about propriety! Check!) so he had his men investigate and when they reported Ni Huang was also there, he thought that strange and sent for Jingyan. As the Emperor points out, this keen observation and quick putting-together of all the clues also makes Yu look very intelligent. UGH Prince Yu must be grinning like a cat on the inside. Jing looks almost as impressed as the Emperor as he listens to this rigamarole, albeit he also looks increasingly disgusted. Control your beautiful face, Jingyan.

The Emperor looks very approving of his sneaky son, but also wants to know why Yu chose to send Jing in instead of going himself? Yu smoothly answers that he thought it would be wrong of him to enter the palace, considering it is heavily guarded so he would have to take his own guards with him, too. Jing happened to walk by, so that’s why he picked Jing to go instead. Since Jing is a prince, it would be within his rights to go in, and he could just apologize if nothing was amiss and be on his way. I guess as a lesser ranked prince and one who is highly skilled in martial arts as well, his entering the palace alone wouldn’t be as aggressive and dangerous an act as Yu entering accompanied by armed men.

Huh, says the Emperor, I’m surprised you just obeyed Prince Yu and went, Jing. You’re usually not so obedient. (Which made me instantly envision how this actual scenario would really go down, preferably along the lines of

(Yu: Hey, Jing Yan, do me a favor, I need you to go into Zhaoren palace and–)

(Jing: Do it yourself. *doesnt break stride*)

Jing has caught on to the ploy by now, thank heaven for small mercies, and says since this concerned Ni Huang’s safety, he did not have the luxury of ignoring his brother’s order, lol. Yu pipes up and praises Jing for acting so bravely and saving Ni Huang in time, and then goes one step further and accepts the blame for threatening the life of the Crown Prince, saying he himself did not hold the sword, but Jing was only there under his orders, so it’s his fault really. If the Emperor plans on punishing Jing, then Yu demands that he also share that punishment, because that is only fair. Aw, what a noble, righteous, good prince this Yu is NOPE WAIT A SECOND HE’S NOT GOOD HE’S JUST GOOD AT LYING AND PLAYING HIS CARDS RIGHT. I see you, Yu, I seeee youuuu.

The Emperor chuckles, good humor restored, and accepts this whole story, wryly saying that well, he does know Yu keeps close watch on the Crown Prince, after all. Sanctimonious Prince Yu humbly responds that of course he does: the Crown Prince is both his superior in rank AND his older brother! He looks up to him and strives always to follow in his footsteps and he always has! Enough of such talk, the Emperor cuts him off, saying what we are all thinking. He knows this last, at least, is utter hogwash, but he also decides to believe the rest of Yu’s story. While this doesn’t excuse Jing for his crime (at this, both Ni Huang and Yu interrupt to beg that Jing be shown clemency, which, aw (even if Yu is just doing this for himself)), the gracious Emperor will allow the merit of his good deed in saving Ni Huang to cancel out whatever punishment he earned. How nice.

Prince Yu, however, gets rewarded with pearls and brocade and all sorts of fancy riches as well as his father’s praise, so that’s unfair. We get to see both Yu and Jing make deep bows and thank their dad, but we sadly don’t see the Crown Prince’s face when Yu gets all that reward, because he must be losing his MIND. Also Ni Huang doesn’t look that pleased, but she is composed nonetheless. The Empress looks VERY pleased. She came out of this best: her hated rival was shamed and punished and demoted, her son earned himself so many brownie points, AND she got to watch both of these events go down. It’s just a really good day for her.

While Jing is storming away from the palace–he doesn’t look more grumpy than usual, he just always looks like he’s storming places when he walks–Ni Huang chases after him.

She tells him he left too quickly; she hadn’t even finished thanking Prince Yu when Jing was already gone! I don’t blame him; I’d want to get out of there as fast as I could, too. But then she continues and tells Jing that she knows that Yu was lying; she knows he didn’t send Jing to save her. Did Mister Su send you? she asks, a little self-consciously; she does not meet Jing’s eyes as she asks the question. Hey hey heyyyyyy

What does Su have do do with anything? Jing asks, looking truly perplexed. Commander General Meng was the one who approached me. (Ok, so I guess our poor brave Prince really did have no idea Su was involved. Oh, precious.) (Also the blessed people who do the music for this show had a chime or somesuch instrument ring really loudly as he said this and started talking it out, it was like an audible version of a lightbulb suddenly clicking on as he starts to work things out, I laughed)

He says he was skeptical, but hey, he trusts Meng and since the order concerned Ni Huang’s safety, he figured better safe than sorry. Why would she think Su had anything to do with it? Ni Huang looks taken aback, then disappointed, then a little irritated but mostly determined. Well, she says, I clearly have some questions for Meng.

(Uh oh, Meng. Start running now. Or at least I hope you have been coached on what to tell her. I feel like you aren’t really up to the task of improvising a convincing cover story that would be good enough to fool the Princess.)

Meanwhile, Prince Yu and his mother are enjoying a celebratory Drink and Gloat together. As one does, when your political, romantic, and fraternal rivals all shoot themselves in the foot on the same day, right in front of you. The Empress gleefully congratulates her snakey son. Said snakey son responds by grinning and basically saying Hey, mom, just in case you thought I was being nice? I wasn’t. I was being sneaky. Just thought you should know. Which is to say, he tells her how he wasn’t really defending Jing, he was just stealing all the credit for Jing’s bravery and good deed, and he actually had nothing to do with saving Ni Huang at all. This probably makes her even more proud, sighhhh. Something I do like about this show is what mama’s boys these rival Princes are, even while being genuinely terrible human beings. Prince Yu is reeeally basking in his mother’s praise.

Yu points out an additional bonus he gained that I hadn’t considered until now: Ni Huang might not have considered herself indebted to the Empress for her intervening, since the Empress seemingly showed up by chance. Ni Huang would probably have felt grateful towards Jing instead, because, duh. But by taking credit for sending Jing in the first place, Prince Yu has ensured that Ni Huang has ended up indebted to him after all, in addition to Jing also owing him now. Verrrrry impressive. Sure enough, the Empress LOVES this, but then she stops to ask: Yu might have taken credit for sending Jing, but since he didn’t actually do it–what is the real reason for Jing being in Zhaoren palace?

Yu flashes back to his meeting with Mei Chang Su, where Su told him where to go and what to do. Thinking out loud, in some awe, Yu remarks that he isn’t the biggest winner of the day after all; when the Empress asks what he means, he explains: Mei Chang Su was the real winner of the day. He orchestrated everything, on such scant evidence. Yu really, really, REALLY wants Mr. Divine Talent on his team now. The man is just so brilliant! (Yes he is, Yu. More than you know.)

While this is happening, Ni Huang has tracked down Meng, with Jing tagging along. She evidently piqued his curiosity. Meng has this wonderful “oh no” face when he greets them; he’s smiling but also he definitely knows he’s about to be grilled. And thus begins the Lang Ya Bang Sherlock Holmes AU, starring Princess Ni Huang as Holmes and Prince Jing as her silent, stalwart Watson. Under questioning, Meng tries his darndest but ends up folding extremely quickly, loll. Meng tries saying he got news that Sima Lei entered the palace because he’s a Commander General responsible for the Emperor’s safety, he knows about stuff like that! But even Jing CLEARLY isn’t buying that. Ni Huang very sweetly marvels at how incredibly insightful and quick thinking Meng is (she is smugly triumphant as she says this because she knows all three of them know that isn’t Meng at all lolol her happy expression and lifting of her chin is so cute) and he immediately gives up the ruse because he’s honest and knows that she has him.

The trio move their conversation inside where Meng presumably confesses that the rescue was all Mei Chang Su’s doing. Jing is skeptical about how Mei Chang Su could deduce Ni Huang’s peril so accurately from so little information. Meng opens his mouth to answer, and looks surprised when Ni Huang answers first, and of course she isn’t speaking from any Su Script: she’s speaking for herself. She tells Jing about how she has evidence that Su knew something was wrong even before Sima Lei arrived: Mei Chang Su had warned her himself to be wary of the harem. Jing does NOT look happy at this revelation. Ni Huang is not that happy either, to be honest, because she has to make certain to present Yu with a lavish gift and abundant thanks the next day, but she is so SURE that it is Su she should really be thanking.

Meng asks why Ni Huang must thank Yu when it’s so obvious he had nothing to do with it and was merely out to steal glory? Oh, Meng, you innocent. Ni Huang reminds him that, well, Yu does technically deserve thanks because he prevented Jing from being punished–no matter how selfish his motives were–but she also reminds him that the Crown Prince, though somewhat disgraced, is still the Heir and still possesses all the power that entails. If she is abundantly thankful to Prince Yu and ignores Jing, then it is less likely that the humiliated Crown Prince will target Jing and persecute him for his role in Consort Yue’s downfall, and more likely the Crown Prince will focus his hatred instead on Yu–who, let’s face it, has already been established as his hated rival, so this ploy should work to focus his rage. She’s using her social duty to trick the feuding Princes into keeping their blinders on and attacking only each other, forgetting Jing. Awwww, she’s protecting our Jingyan, I’m so proud. Jing (who has been looking pretty deep in thought this whole time) looks a little self-conscious, I think. I’m betting he hadn’t stopped to consider he might be targeted by the Crown Prince.

(Sidenote: Wang Kai’s face is very distracting in this scene, because the lighting is juuuuust right for shining off his carefully highlighted cheekbones and his skin is very shiny here like good lord lol. He’s just so beautiful it’s hard to concentrate on what he’s saying. It’s probably a good thing that Jing doesn’t smile very much in this show so far, because if he ever did look genuinely happy I don’t think I could handle it on an emotional level.)

Jing remarks that Prince Yu had seemed very pleased. Understatement, much? Ni Huang says of course he was pleased! She lays out all the reasons why Yu is winning at life right now, and then pauses: Yu must have a wonderfully clever mentor, she says, slowly. The look of sudden dawning disgust on Jing’s face is glorious to behold. He is DEFINITELY NOT happy. Wow, he says, this mentor really IS something, isn’t he. He’s causing so much chaos in the palace; none of us, seemingly, can escape his machinations. He’s playing ALL of us. Meng looks really unhappy to hear Jing talk so coldly about Mei Chang Su, but of course he can’t say anything in our favourite plotting scholar’s defense! Aaaand fade to black. I have a hunch that Jing is suddenly not feeling so thankful about the whole saving of the slave kid thing.

Next scene, after an undetermined jump in time (I’m guessing it’s the same day since Jing is wearing the exact same outfit, but then again maybe he just likes that outfit idk), begins with Jing approaching Mei Chang Su. Uh oh.

(I want to take a moment here to compliment the lighting on this show because it’s always so clear and cold, there’s always this natural-frozen-winter lighting on everything and it’s wonderfully atmospheric and gorgeous to look at. Ok carry on.)

Su bows politely because he’s so polite and proper always (pfft) and asks why Jing summoned him during bad weather (it’s on the cusp of a rainstorm apparently? Considering that Mei Chang Su is ill and everyone’s usually making such a fuss about him being out in the cold and damp, this is yet ANOTHER red flag about just how Not Happy Jing is. Jing does take an instant to look a little guilty, but then shakes it off because he’s still righteously angry.

(Hey Lin Shu, where’s your furs, you brat? Somewhere Fei Liu is fuming for sure.)

Your Highness seems angry, says Su. Jing gives him this wonderful “oh DO i?” deadpan glare, and then has out with it: He wants to know if Chang Su is happy with how the Ni Huang crisis turns out. The heavy implication is that Jing thinks Su orchestrated the whole thing, setting up Ni Huang so that Jing would have to save her, so that Jing would thereby earn her powerful family’s loyalty and also the Crown Prince would be destabilized–all this makes sense from a standpoint of cold logic, of course, and Prince Yu would definitely have arranged something like this if he could. We know as the audience that this isn’t actually what was going on, but then again Su DID turn the situation to his advantage. He did gamble somewhat with Ni Huang’s safety. But I’m certain that was not deliberate on his part: remember he did try to tell her not to visit the palace, she just ignored him.

Anyway, Jing is FURIOUS about this. He tells Su that in future, he demands that Su tell him BEFORE something like this happens. He doesn’t want to be Su’s pawn if they are truly collaborating to put Jing on the throne. If Su is going to be playing games with good people’s lives to attain his endgame, then Jing wants to know about it in advance or the deal between them is done. In fact, he’s going to take it even further and say Su is not ALLOWED to use good people like that, period. Jing says he does not want people like Ni Huang to end up as “stepping stones to my success,” which, awwww. HE IS SO GOOD. He is also SO ILL-SUITED TO THESE POLITICS.

Su listens to all this without interrupting or defending himself, but then he just says he did not expect Jing to think this of him and awwww he’s so sad. Jing starts telling Su about how good Ni Huang is and how she isn’t one of the bad people in court, one of the people squabbling for power; she’s sacrificed her life to the military to protect her people, she deserves better than to be a pawn in a strategist’s scummy games. Poor Su looks pretty haunted for this entire speech, but then he says he understands: Your highness is here today to set the rules.

(The way the power dynamic is constantly fluctuating between these two is fascinating, btw. Jing rightly saw in the Ni Huang case how Su is controlling the action, so now here he comes to control Su. We the audience know that Su can’t reeeeeally be controlled. But we shall see how it goes moving forward, I guess.)

Then there’s a tiny scene basically letting us know that the Empress is using all her influence to make Consort Yue’s life hell, but I don’t have much to say about that because this Mei Chang Su and Jing scene is THE scene of the episode and maybe even the entire show so far. What we get here is the most important monologue Jing has had so far, where he really tells both us and Su exactly who he is (here copied out in full, because it is That Important):

I have met many strategists. I have witnessed the most despicable and malicious acts they performed. The stabs in the back; not even the strongest person could withstand them. My eldest brother. My best friend. Both of them died from such unscrupulous schemes. I will not have them see me become a ruthless person who will stop at nothing. I don’t ask that you understand what it means to be iron-willed and tough in battle. But there are some people who mustn’t be hurt and some methods that mustn’t be used. If you can’t even respect those warriors who risk their lives in battle, then I, Xiao Jing Yan, will never associate myself with you.

THERE’S SO MUCH TO UNPACK HERE GUYS BUT IM TOO BUSY CRYING.

1. Jing hates strategists. Now confirmed that he hates them because he saw what they did to the people he loved best. Now confirmed that his disgust for Su stems from his anger at what people like Su did to Shu who is Su and just STOP SHOW STOP

2. Mysterious Eldest Brother Qi is mentioned yet again. When will we find out exactly what happened twelve years ago. Whennnn.

3. Hard to imagine a Jing who actually liked one of his brothers, this is very sad

4. Jing has felt all this time that he has to live up to his dead brother and dead friend’s expectations of him, he’s been haunting himself with their judgemental ghosts all these years so even if Su gives him a way to avenge them by taking the throne himself he won’t let it be at the cost of becoming that thing that killed them to begin with good GRIEF Jing *takes a moment to cry a little more*

5. Jing of course assumes that Su does not understand the martial way of life and code of honor because he’s just a scholar strategist whose battlefield is the political arena (aka he’s manipulative trash) but also we know he is So Wrong and if he just stopped being angry a moment and really looked at Su’s face while he’s telling him this maybe he’d have second thoughts because Su looks CRUSHED

6. LIN SHU PLS JUST TELL JING WHO YOU ARE AND GRAB NI HUANG AND MENG AND JUST LEAVE JUST FIND A NICE HIDEAWAY SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU CAN BE HAPPY TOGETHER also Jingmum and Mu can come too just stop hiding and be safe and be happy look how broken Jing is just UGHHH

7. (Also since our Lin Shu is, of course, going to stay pretending to be Mei Chang Su, then even if he swears transparency to Jing it’s still a lie. Even if he brings Jing in on his plans in future, Jing is STILL just a pawn being played. I hate this I hate this I love this I hate this)

The drama knows we need some breathing space and time to restock our tissue boxes after that scene, so now we have another Empress scene, this time her talking with Prince Yu again.

I forget if we had explicit confirmation before that Yu is only the Empress’ adopted son, not her birth son (though I guess the fact that he isn’t the heir is sort of a giveaway), but she clearly says it here. I wonder if he was evil even before she adopted him or if he only developed all his snakey traits after. The Empress asks about Jing, and Yu says Jing left quietly and hasn’t said anything about Yu stealing credit, so they disregard him as a threat, figuring if he didn’t flare up angrily about it now, then he’s not going to ever bring it up again. The Empress apologizes for not managing to make her son the Heir when he’s so superior to the Crown Prince; Yu says that’s fine, everyone knows the Emperor favors the Consort anyway so it made sense he’d pick her son as heir. I don’t see how this should make the Empress feel better, but ok Yu.

The scheming mom and son team decide they have to take advantage of Consort Yue’s disgrace and house arrest (oh yeah, the Empress is trying to make sure no palace news reaches her rival too) to supplant the Crown Prince and replace him with Yu. Yu says here he feels very confident this will work, especially because he knows now that the Divine Talent is on his side.

Back to Jing and Su! Su agrees to Jing’s terms, but then asks if he can lay down some rules of his own. Jing looks grumpy, naturally, but concedes by sitting down with Su at table (previously he was still stubbornly standing).

(Sidenote: THE MUSIC T_T)

Su tells Jing he won’t cross the boundaries Jing has set, but also: they’re up against the Crown Prince and Prince Yu. If they are to win against those two, then Jing WILL have to be willing to be more ruthless than them. In addition, since Jing and Su are a TEAM, there should be no more secrets between them (OH THAT’S RICH). Secrets like … Ting Sheng, for example.

Uh, Ting Sheng? What could possibly be secret about Ting Sheng? Jing asks in the least innocent way possible. (Sidenote: remember what I said about how the power is constantly being passed back and forth between these two? Here comes Mei Chang Su taking it back after that verbal and moral drubbing from Jing.)

Su isn’t holding back: I’m talking about his real identity, he says. Jing looks guilty and distressed at this development, then confesses: this is his only secret, the only thing he will not speak of. How did Su figure it out? Su takes some pity on him and doesn’t say “because you are THE worst liar ever, Jingyan”; he sidesteps and says that isn’t important. What IS important is he had this knowledge and didn’t use it against Jing. HE IS ON JING’S SIDE. TRUST HIM. Also, Jing NEEDS him on his side, because once they can’t stay under the radar with their grab for the throne anymore, both the Crown Prince AND Yu will go after Jing, and does Jing think he could survive that without Mei Chang Su’s help? Nope, didn’t think so.

Jing concedes this but then starts reiterating that still, there are good people in court who are not involved in politics and who he does not want drawn into this, and THIS time Su does cut him off, saying that it doesn’t matter: he WILL still use those who can be used to further Jing’s rise in power. Jing looks taken aback at this. But Su continues, saying that though he will use people, he will do his best not to hurt them. That’s the best he can promise. I think this honesty and openness gets through to Jing a little; it’s a compromise anyway and it comes across as Su not trying to lie to him and not WANTING to hurt people, or at least not being entirely dispassionate about it. Jing nods and rises, looking very conflicted, and then pauses as he leaves.

I still have to thank you, he says, for rescuing Ting Sheng. Then he walks out. So I guess he still has to thank him. Hm.

Next scene: FINALLY MY GOOD PURE BOYS ARE BACK. Their arrival is well-timed because after all that angst I am so emotionally exhausted and they revive me.

“Hey, Jing Rui, isn’t that man who just went by your brother Zhou Qing Yao?” OK NEVER MIND THIS DOESNT MAKE ME FEEL ANY HAPPIER AT ALL

Jing Rui says it’s impossible that Yu Jin saw his brother; his brother couldn’t have returned home without Jing Rui being notified! Guys, I have such a bad feeling about this. Such a bad feeling. Even the music is like “UH OH WATCH OUT.”

But our two favourite Good Besties shrug it off and decide to visit Mei Chang Su. Apparently he’s started looking for a house of his own (remember he’s still living on the Marquis’ property atm)? Hm. There must be a Reason for this.

Cut to–sure enough–Zhou Qing Yao talking with the Marquis. He’s reporting on Xia Dong, the intelligence woman who dislikes Jing and who was sent to investigate that Duke of Qing from episode like one or two. It’s been a while. He says she’s found enough evidence that the Duke is sunk if she gets back to the capitol to report. This is all well and good, because the Marquis wants Prince Yu weakened, but Xia Dong also found out stuff that could implicate the Marquis–she’s just too good at her job. (She also looks amazing while riding across that river with her hood up, I love deep dramatic hoods.)

Xie Bi, Jing Rui’s brother and the Marquis’ son, has all this time been supporting Prince Yu. He, Jing Rui, and everyone think that while he has taken a political side, his father is noble and neutral. In actuality, though, the Marquis supports the Crown Prince. This way the family wins no matter which prince ultimately takes the throne! But Xia Dong now has evidence that will prove the Marquis supports the Crown Prince. So he tells his aghast son in law basically that he’s arranging to have Xia Dong killed before she gets back to court. WELP

Cut to nighttime at a brothel, yayyy. That’s a sarcastic yay. The subtitles say it’s called Red Sleeves Brothel but also showed subtitles for Heavenly Music House, so is the brothel near the music house or are they connected or what. I thiiiink they’re just near each other???? But in the Red Sleeves Brothel (I think) we find Yu’s strategist, that woman with the red eyeliner! She reads and then burns a note that apparently informed her of Duke of Qing’s situation. She admits she can do nothing for him now and wonders aloud what the Divine Talent could do. Is she jealous? I think she is, a bit.

Cut to what is probably the next day, and Jing Rui meets with his Marquis dad who apparently summoned him. The Marquis inquires about how Mei Chang Su is doing and exhorts Jing Rui to keep looking after him well. Jing Rui says he will, but also that Su is looking into moving out into a house of his own. He looks so sad when he says this, awwwww, no. Don’t feel bad, Jing Rui! The Marquis meanwhile looks alarmed. He tells Jing Rui to keep him updated on if Su needs anything.

Cut to Jing Rui and Yu Jin hanging out at a riverbank, where Jing Rui looks like he’s kind of sulky and moody but more importantly HIS HAIR IS DOWN. I like loose-hair Jing Rui! Anyway, Yu Jin asks him why they’re there. Jing Rui says he just wanted to get out of the capitol; after his time away it seems so stifling, and everyone has changed, poor boy. He says he feels like both his father and Su have changed. Yu Jin says but your father was always like that! and Jing Rui shakes his head with the saddest pensive pout, I feel so bad. He doesn’t even know. DONT LET HIM FIND OUT SHOW DONT DO IT PLEEEEASE.

Yu Jin just shrugs and says that, to be fair, Mei Chang Su was always unfathomable, and he could tell Su never really considered them to be real friends of his. Jing Rui says nothing but his whole expression says BUT I WANT TO BE HIS REAL FRIEND THO.

(Jing Rui is wearing THE prettiest dark blue and silver outfit, btw. It’s very House Fingolfin. I love it.)

Jing Rui just looks sadder and sadder so Yu Jin switches gears and starts trying to cheer him up, suggesting a visit to the Heavenly Music House (some names are dropped so I’m guessing they’ll be important but I don’t care enough to remember them yet) and a nice boat outing and stuff, and see, Jing Rui, you already have a best friend in Yu Jin. Just be happy with that, don’t worry about Su! Yu Jin’s cajoling works and Jing Rui does cheer up, and they go back to their horses. But then they are startled when a Mysterious Cloaked Figure emerges from behind a tree!

I recognize her instantly: it’s Xia Dong. She’s missing her horse though, which can’t be a good sign.

Now we go back to Prince Yu, where the Duke of Qing is pleading for help. Yu has no more help to give, though, the Duke is done for at this point. Also Yu keeps punching himself in the face because he’s so frustrated and, like, more of this please I’m living. Yu says he needs to find out who escorted the old couple accusing the Duke (remember earlier the Marquis said it was his people I think, the son-in-law and his pugilist dad?) because he’s freaking out that the Crown Prince seemingly has secret pugilist allies.

Also Yu throws a fit here, an actual finger-wagging, mimicking-the-Duke’s-voice sort of fit, and it’s the best. He wants to know where Xia Dong, the investigator who knows too much, is.

Well, she’s with Jing Rui and Yu Jin at the river, that’s where. She calls Yu Jin over and he is hilariously frightened of her (apparently because she was his mega-harsh martial arts teacher when he was tiny) but he does approach, and she pretends to be bullying him but it’s just a cover so she can get close and whisper for him to help her back to the main road. Once he’s close he notices there’s blood running down her hand. Ohhhhh dear. She tells him to relax and pretend nothing is wrong.

To his credit, Yu Jin does this very well, no hesitation. He’s very sunny but he isn’t a fool; I love how he is always very capable, even if he enjoys larking. Jing Rui notices something must be wrong as they approach, and he also switches into serious mode, grabbing his sword as he rushes over. As long as I don’t fall over they won’t dare to come out, whispers Xia Dong, which is one of THE coolest lines ever given to a female character, I love itttt. She says there’s men hiding in the woods.

Soon enough, those men attack anyway! Can I just say all the shots of them sliding down the trees were great, btw, that looks like so much fun. Jing Rui tells Yu Jin to run ahead with the wounded Xia Dong and then proceeds to take out like twenty guys all by himself I love him so muchhhh. (Sidenote: I love all the shots of our boys hurrying through the tall grass while carrying the skirts of their robes, it’s so funny ok but also relatable) There’s a cool Jing Rui’s sword POV shot at some point and yeah the whole fight is majorly fun. This actor’s swordfighting is A++++ aesthetic.

Some assassins do surround Yu Jin and Xia Dong despite Jing Rui’s heroics, but our heroes fend them off unarmed, and they’re also awesome. Major props to whoever did Yu Jin’s series of backflips in all those heavy robes, goshdangggg. That was impressive. Also Xia Dong gets a blade and starts just DESTROYING all the assassins, what a fantastic woman. I also am beginning to suspect she wasn’t QUITE as injured as she was making out. My suspicious are confirmed when she fakes being weakened and hurting to lure out the leader of the assassins, who she then easily takes down. Then she casually PUNCHES THE POISON CAPSULE TOOTH OUT OF HIS MOUTH I love her so muchhhhhh

Good pure Jing Rui is a bit distressed by this, but Yu Jin tells him to just let her be. I think he is still scared of her. Xia Dong asks the assassin who sent him to kill her. His response? Prince Yu.

Annnd end episode! Is it really Prince Yu who sent the assassins? I don’t think so, because he told the Duke he could do nothing more for him AND that he didn’t know where Xia Dong was. Meanwhile, we know the Marquis was sending an ambush. The Prince Yu answer is probably just a coverup to misdirect. Does that mean Jing Rui just killed like a score of his dad’s own men? Oh, dear.

This is maybe my favourite episode since episode two! Fast-paced, no longer tied up with the Ni Huang marriage subplot, the story’s focus is now reverting more and more to Jing and I’m so here for that. Plus the story just keeps getting deeper and deeper, adding new levels to everyone’s motivations and relationships and oh it’s so good. It’s just so good. I’m so scared.

Also! Here (with permission) is a supersmart, superhelpful, and superhilarious graphic for this episode made by glimmeroo! It’s great and you should check out their work. I’ll try to keep linking to their graphics in each recap post I make from now on, as we are both recapping episodes just in different formats, so I think our posts compliment each other nicely ^_^

#badpoet watches nif #nirvana in Fire Episode 6 #nirvana in fire #badpoet watches #nif response ep6

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abadpoetwithdreams · 7 years

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Nirvana in Fire Episode 5 Reaction

Aaand I’m back! I had hoped to write this and post it before my two-week vacation ended, but while I did manage to write here and there, I was never able to find enough time to actually get this finished. Whenever I had any downtime at all I ended up falling asleep, because I was so busy all the rest of the time! But thank you for your patience, and I am most delighted to be back to watching and writing about Nirvana in Fire. Apologies in advance for any errors/disjointedness in this recap, as it was written over the course of my travel through three separate Hawaiian islands, Tokyo, and Okinawa, including while on eight different plane flights over three time zones, lol. Jetlagged isn’t even a strong enough word.

So: episode five! The opening theme music starts and let me tell you, guys, it sounds even better than usual because I’ve been away from it for almost two weeks now. It’s like that first sip of coffee in the morning when you need that caffeine hit. Glorious.

The episode opens on the palace steps, where Mei Chang Su is giving his tiny trio of new-minted swordsmen (swordsboys?) a last-minute pep talk. He says Fei Liu has made a very favorable report on them, which I feel is probably a lie, but it makes those skinny, mistreated boys smile proudly and HE’S JUST SO GOOD WITH KIDS, GUYS. I HATE IT.

Chang Su addresses the oldest kid specially, telling him “You are the oldest, you have to look after them.” And then Jing walks up and I cry inside at that deep cut for what is probably not the last time this episode. Chang Su and Jing are wearing matching-coloured grey/white outfits today! It’s very cute and I like it; one more point to the costuming staff on this drama! And then Ni Huang walks up and SHE TOO IS ALL IN GREY/WHITE. My faves have matching outfits! Yay team!

Anyway, Ni Huang notices Chang Su looking rather fondly at them (oh yeah, and her baby brother is there too) and asks him why he’s smiling. She’s so perceptive. He explains that it has become fashionable around the capitol to “appear sluggish”, but that Jing, Ni Huang, and baby brother to Ni Huang (I REALLY NEED TO REMEMBER HIS NAME IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS) stand with good, strong, firm posture, and that this pleases him. Ni Huang’s flattered little smile when he says this is so pretty. She answers that of course: the three of them are warriors who live military lives. If they stood sluggishly, that would be wrong, and would show they are not fit to defend their country! (I like how their good posture, linked with their firm identities as military leaders who are totally severed from the posture and therefore lifestyle of court political life, further ties Ni Huang and Jing together as a team for Good, here. People in court present themselves in whatever way serves them best, following fashion both in thought and in behavior. Ni Huang and Jing–and Ni Huang’s brother, for that matter–present themselves plainly as they are. Their honesty must be refreshing to Mei Chang Su even aside from how he must also feel at this evidence that these people Lin Shu loved have remained good people. And even though this part of Jing’s personality makes him a pain to work with, lol. It probably also makes him even more homesick, so to speak, for a past that can’t come back. They are the same people he loved–but he can’t be the same person they loved back. (NOTE: In my first watch, at this point I was only guessing Jing and Shu had been close before. So far it had been only hinted at. Since I have now watched up to episode 17 though prior to pausing to write these recaps, I can say that it has since been HELLA confirmed.)

Baby brother, whose name is Mu Qing (thanks for the name drop, Ni Huang), is adorably proud at being included in this military group, and then he spoils the moment by threatening Chang Su that if the boys lose to Baili Qi he will punish him, lol. Ni Huang sharply checks her brother, but he looks only chastened, not at all repentant. He’s the best. He should also spend less time around Jing because I feel like they could be bad influences on each other when it comes to lack of tact and subtlety.

We leave this group of perfect people on the steps (with Mei Chang Su still looking entirely too happy to be with them, PUT AWAY YOUR HEART-EYES LIN SHU) to go visit some of the worst people, namely the emperor and his two bratty, battling sons. The wonderful Commander Meng is there too, telling the emperor that he fought the slave boys and they impressed him. He even says they managed to trap him for a while, which gives him hope that they will be able to beat Baili Qi. I am fairly certain this is just Meng lying and saying whatever Lin Shu told him to say, because there’s no way those kids should be good enough to trap him. I’m even wondering if he’s embellishing the lie he was told to tell, because claiming the children impressed him is one thing but saying they actually got the clear upper hand over him for a bit smacks strongly of over-embellishment, ahahaha. Anyway, regardless of if it’s the truth or not, it pleases the emperor and the Crown Prince, noticing this, quickly hops on the optimism train, reiterating how good it will be for the boys to defeat Baili Qi and thereby make him ineligible to challenge Ni Huang. Prince Yu is of course then obligated to take the negative approach so that he can undercut his brother, pointing out that if Baili Qi is out, no one else among the finalists has a chance of defeating Ni Huang, so this whole rigamarole of a tournament will basically mean nothing, and the emperor’s generosity in arranging it will also mean nothing. (This constant back and forth quibbling between the princes so easily could have become wearisome, because it happens a lot, but I actually love it every time mainly because these two actors–especially whoever plays Prince Yu–play these scenes SO well. It’s hugely entertaining, and that’s mainly on how they deliver their lines and react to each other. I’ve commented on this before, but hey, kudos to them again.)

The emperor sours somewhat at that, and then even further when Yu tries to smoothly transition to saying that, since Ni Huang is such a mighty warrior, isn’t it okay if her husband isn’t? Isn’t it better that her husband be a good person from a good family–someone like, oh, I don’t know, the candidate from one of Yu’s supporting families? The Crown Prince hastily calls him out, but Yu then calls HIM out too by saying oh, so I suppose the man YOU support is better than mine, is that it? The situation begins to devolve into a really pathetic verbal slapfest, and the emperor literally tells them to shut up in the English subtitles, which made me giggle.

Meanwhile, Mei Chang Su has made the always dangerous decision to call Ni Huang over for a private conversation. He warns her that there are people in the palace who want to use devious means to MAKE her get married. Ni Huang is taken aback, as well she should be; she’s a warrior, and not used to having to deal with this sort of underhandedness (and more than that, probably isn’t used to being treated like a woman who needs to be careful of this sort of thing). He warns her more specifically to be careful to refuse or at least be wary of anything edible or drinkable that is offered to her while she’s in the palace. She makes a bad habit of not taking maids with her, he chides her; such a habit is dangerous.

Instead of being suitably repentant, Ni Huang (glorious, clever creature that she is) fires back with: “How do you know I never take maids with me?” OH SNAP YOU DONE MESSED UP NOW LIN SHU. Judging by the look of frozen horror on his face, Mei Chang Su does not have an answer to this prepared, and yet again, award one point to Ni Huang. What a queen.

Su is saved from having to fumble for an answer that would satisfy Ni Huang (when we all know there is no such thing) by Team Good Boys, aka Jing Rui and Yu Jin, who barrel in with their usual good-humored energy to interrupt the conversation. Yu Jin starts scolding Chang Su for sneaking out of his house without telling them (which is hilarious to picture and I am sorry I didn’t get to see it), but he’s quickly accosted by Mu Qing, who furiously says don’t you see Mister Su is busy talking??? To my sister???? ALONE?????

Does he ship it? Ohhhh I so think he does. And instantly, so does Yu Jin, who instead of leaving the couple in peace leans in eagerly to watch, bahaha. Aaaand now Mei Chang Su is left looking like he feels doubly like a deer in headlights, but Ni Huang also looks flustered, so he’s safe at least from her probing for the moment.

Thankfully, he is saved yet again by the announcement that the Emperor has arrived on the scene. We cut to everyone gathered in the palace as before, and the Emperor asks Chang Su if the boys are ready. They are, Chang Su replies. The Emperor, satisfied, orders the fight to begin, and Chang Su in response turns to his trio of padawans and with the tiniest encouraging smile he motions them to attack.

They step forward. Ni Huang tells Chang Su point blank that the boys cannot win and that she knows this, so whatever other trick he has planned he had better get on with it. Su, with one of the cockiest smiles I’ve seen from him yet, the scamp, tells her to just watch and relax. The boys take an opening stance, and Baili Qi gives them the most wonderfully unimpressed look, and Ni Huang does not look at all relaxed. But then–the fight begins!

This next scene is fun to watch, but not so fun to write about. Basically: the three boys spin and jump and fly around the combat ring with ease, and by far my favourite bit is when they stack up to imitate the height and reach of a single tall opponent and then break apart into their separate tiny forms when Baili Qi tries to hit them. It just looked great. The fight is ridiculous and glorious and is made all the better by all the cuts to Chang Su, who has resumed his favourite pasttime of Pretending To Be More Interested In Food. He doesn’t have to troll for his plans to work; he CHOOSES to troll, and for that I love him very much.

Baili Qi is at first bored, then bemused, then angered by the tactics of the three children he is fighting. The kids manage to cut off some of his luscious wig–I mean, some of his hair, which makes him even madder and makes Mu Qing actually bolt to his feet in the audience, ahaha. Even Jing looks surprised and impressed, and Ni Huang no longer looks worried, just very intent. The emperor is DELIGHTED.

Finally the boys finish off Baili Qi with a chop to the neck, courtesy of Ting Sheng himself. Baili Qi drops, Yu Jin cheers, Jing looks actually sort of happy????!!? and Ni Huang isn’t even watching the boys any more. She’s watching Mei Chang Su. Uh oh.

Mei Chang Su is also not watching the fight. He’s eating.

The Emperor cannot contain his gleeful laughter at this win over Northern Yan, and Prince Yu looks absolutely thrilled, too. Finally Chang Su deigns to notice that his ploy has defeated the mighty Baili Qi, and he stands to assure the delegates from Northern Yan that Baili Qi has not been seriously harmed; “we would not hurt a guest,” he says with just the right hint of smarm.

He then tells the boys to bow to the still cackling Emperor, and gives Ni Huang a Look. She correctly recognizes her cue, and jumps up to suggest that the Emperor reward the children with their freedom, since as slaves they cannot have any use for any more material reward. She and Su argue back and forth a bit about who gets custody of the boys (not even married and fighting over the children, these two) and their clever ploy works; the emperor is so amused by their bickering and in such a good mood that he easily agrees to free the children, and says that Su and Ni Huang will have to settle for themselves who gets them. HOW CLEVER OUR LIN SHU IS. He looked nervous for the actual moment when the emperor paused before giving verdict, but everything worked as planned after all because Shu is just that brilliant. (And just look at Jing’s faaaaaace.)

Yu tries to win Chang Su’s favour by leaping up to say that Mei Chang Su deserves a reward, too. Jing immediately goes back to looking disgusted. So much for his fleeting moment of sort-of-happiness. Also I just realize now that he’s been made to sit next to Prince Yu, which he must haaaaaaate.

Crown Prince of course cannot stand to be outdone, so he jumps up and chides his rival for implying that the Emperor WASN’T going to reward Mei Chang Su, and suggests the granting of an honorable title. The Emperor is still too cheered by Baili Qi’s humiliation to be angered by his sons’ fighting like he was earlier, and he merrily inquires about how Baili Qi is doing. The Northern Yan representative hastens to say that regardless of the defeat today, Baili Qi is still eligible to fight Ni Huang, but some lord of the court openly laughs at the claim, saying how can he possibly hope to fight Ni Huang when he could not even defeat a few untrained slave children?? Just look at Mu Qing in this scene, by the way, he is practically bursting with glee. This actor really goes above and beyond in charming the heck out of all scenes he’s in, whether or not he’s the focus of them. There’s quite a few excellent background faces/reactions he’s done that I’ve enjoyed a lot. Right now he’s swaying like he’s on the verge of dancing with happiness, he’s so cute.

The end result of Mei Chang Su’s victory is that the Emperor successfully uses Baili Qi’s defeat as an excuse to disqualify him from vying further for Ni Huang’s hand, and Northern Yan is unhappily but successfully trapped into withdrawing. Chang Su himself even gets a congratulations from the Emperor, and then the party breaks up and we see Su, Ni Huang, Mu, and the three former-slave boys going down the palace steps outside. Ni Huang pointedly tells her brother to take the boys to her carriage and wait for her, and he quickly takes the hint and bustles off. Jing Rui, who was standing at the foot of the steps presumably waiting for Su, is not so quick to take a hint. Yu Jin, aka the world’s second most fervent Ni Huang/Mei Chang Su shipper, however, latches on fast and he hurries Jing Rui away, with many a knowing grin, leaving our shouldabeen lovers alone.

Ni Huang isn’t here to talk romance, though. She wants to know why Baili Qi lost, since she is an expert in martial arts and still maintains the boys’ weird sword formations should not have been enough to defeat him. Ah, Chang Su says, the answer to that is simple enough: Baili Qi is a member of the East Yangtze Alliance.

AHA!! I had a suspicion something like this might be going on. Something I really liked about this reveal is that it shows Baili Qi is not the big dumb brute that the show had been portraying him as up to this point–a stereotype that seemed uncharacteristically flat in contrast to all the other characters in this show. He is a great fighter, sure, but he must also be clever enough for Shu to trust him to pull off this ploy convincingly with the ENTIRE court watching him like a hawk. And seemingly he succeeded in fooling everyone, because no one but Ni Huang and maybe Jing suspected that Baili Qi was more than meets the eye. Also, this further reminds us that Ni Huang and Jing are well disciplined and trained and intelligent, and are much more capable than the soft-postured powers currently reigning in the court, who were fooled by Lin Shu’s ploy. These politicians, it seems, do not really understand war. ALSO also, Shu seemingly counted on the court’s softness to blind it to his martial arts farce, and trusted Jing and Ni Huang to be silent about it (he respects them enough not to be surprised by Ni Huang’s questioning), and that’s exactly what happened. Because Lin Shu is awesome and he always predicts things correctly. Riiiiight? *winks knowingly at second half of this ep*

Mei Chang Su explains that he planted Baili Qi in the contest because he was confident Baili Qi could eliminate any candidate that was too strong/that Ni Huang disliked before contriving to eliminate himself, too, thus keeping her safe from any undesirable marriages. I’m guessing Baili Qi also took out anyone Su himself didn’t like; Su so clearly still has feelings for Ni Huang (and how couldn’t he? Just look at her!) and I’m certain there was a certain amount of selfishness mixed in with his desire to, as he puts it, earn a favour from Ni Huang and her powerful family. He doesn’t want her getting married any more than she does! He wants to make sure she can beat up anyone who challenges her! But besides that he’s also managed to impress the Emperor and the feuding princes, AND he now has Jing owe him a favour, too. Well, I’m guessing he more wants to view it as he has earned Jing’s trust, but I’m gonna say Jing will see it more like now he owes Mei Chang Su one. We shall see.

Ni Huang, interestingly, seems disappointed that he says he only helped her out because he wanted to get her in his debt, basically; I think he’s slipped up around her enough that she knows that has to be a fib, but also she was hoping there was a more personal reason there. She still can tell who he is on some level, somehow, and his horribly dispassionate logic here disappoints that part of her that wants this man to be her long-lost fiancé. She rallies by pointing out that Meng must have also noticed the flaws in the boys’ formations, since she did, and Su replies that he trusted Meng to be sensible and remain silent about it. Since this farce is working for the benefit of the Emperor, why wouldn’t he? Ni Huang looks VERRRRY calculatingly at Su while he says this. I guess she could be weighing whether this is evidence that Mei Chang Su and Meng are in cahoots, then, which could in turn serve as evidence that Mei Chang Su is actually Lin Shu, but again–we shall have to wait and see.

The reason why we have to wait is because a maid shows up at that moment to interrupt the conversation with an invitation for Ni Huang from the Empress. The Empress, it would seem, wants to treat Ni Huang to some tea and wine inside the palace. UH-OH. Knowing what we know about the plan to drug Ni Huang, this is NOT good. Chang Su keeps quiet, but his whole expression is silently screaming at her: Don’t go. He even shakes his head ever so slightly no at her when she turns to look at him. But Ni Huang knows she cannot really refuse a summons from the Empress, plus she’s an awesome war hero of a woman, bold and intelligent and very, very brave. So she accepts the invitation, and politely takes her leave of Mei Chang Su. He watches as she leaves, and he looks very, very, very worried. We all are, Su.

(Also, I might be wrong, but the actress who plays Ni Huang gives her a bit of a challenging air here as she accepts the summons. I love her expression as she answers the Empress’ maid while looking at Chang Su. She gives the exchange a feeling that Ni Huang is daring Mei Chang Su: you don’t have any personal interest in my safety? Ok then, watch this. Checkmate, strategist.)

Cut to Mei Chang Su slowwwwwly leaving the palace in the company of our favourite Two Good Boys. Yu Jin is curious about why Chang Su let Ni Huang take custody of the ex-slave boys so easily after that display in the palace, but Chang Su distractedly explains that it would be inconvenient of him to take them, since he is only a houseguest himself.

Yu Jin is satisfied by this, but Jing Rui quickly notices that Su is acting worried/distracted/troubled, because he’s so over-attentive to his houseguest/bestie. One-sided bestie, anyway. If he had a Facebook account, he would probably be too shy to ever ask Chang Su for a shared selfie but he’d definitely obsessively tag him as a friend in all his group photos, you know? Yu Jin is the selfie friend. Anyway, Jing Rui asks what’s up. Su tries to say that he’s just tired lately, and Yu Jin agrees that he must be, after teaching those boys to fight the way he did! It was a most impressive display! He, Yu Jin, will have to tell his visiting friend Ting Jie all about it when they play polo together later that day, ho ho what fun!

Chang Su freezes. What was that? Liao Ting Jie? Why, yes! Yu Jin cheerily explains that he arranged yesterday to play polo with this friend later today. And Chang Su instantly switches into as close to a full-blown panic mode as we’ve seen from him so far. It took me a couple seconds to figure out WHY this news freaked him so much, because I’m bad with remembering names. But then it clicked: this Liao Ting Jie is the candidate who the Empress wants to marry Ni Huang. If he arranged to meet Yu Jin for an afternoon of polo playing, however, that means that he didn’t need his afternoon free for any clandestine drugging of and, uh, compromising of the princess. Which means that the Empress is not the one planning to harm Ni Huang today. Which means that it’s the Crown Prince’s mother the Noble Consort who is the one who is plotting. Which means that he, Mei Chang Su, warned Ni Huang against the wrong woman, so she is now at a disadvantage and vulnerable instead of properly forewarned. Yeah, this panic is very justified.

So what does Mei Chang Su do? He leaps into action–by staging a full-blown coughing fit. Amazing. I will admit to cackling at his show here because it reminded me of Elizabeth Swann at the end of the first Pirates of the Caribbean film. Need a distraction fast? INITIATE HEALTH CRISIS. (Except our poor Lin Shu actually IS deathly ill, apparently, so for all we know this is only partially faked, given the shock to his system the realization of Ni Huang’s situation must be. But he’s definitely playing it up at least.)

And this works, because Yu Jin and Jing Rui are pure and precious and care so much about their friend, bless them. The worry on Jing Rui’s face made me sad. They rush over in utmost concern and aw they’re so sweet and good.

Cut to Ni Huang who is politely refusing all the tea and food the Empress is offering her. The Crown Prince’s mother is there too, and oh the SASS of this woman as she brushes her hands clean when she comments that the Empress should KNOW that Ni Huang doesn’t like foods of that sort–it’s killing me. I like the weird sort-of-secret-for-propriety’s-sake-but-really-everyone-knows hatred these two have going on. It’s so poorly masked, and the daggers they make of it to poke each other with are so delicately made.

The Empress invites Ni Huang to stay for dinner, and Ni Huang, mindful of Mei Chang Su’s warning, tries to come up with an excuse that will keep her from attending without offending this powerful woman. Consort Yue to the rescue! Well, NO, NOT REALLY, but that’s what it SEEMS like. She hurriedly tells the Empress the reason Ni Huang cannot attend dinner with her is because she has a prior commitment to meet with the Consort at HER palace to discuss town gossip, because apparently Ni Huang and Yue are from the same area of the kingdom? By framing Ni Huang’s visiting her as an act of charity, basically, Noble Consort Yue makes it impossible for the Empress to forbid it. So Ni Huang makes her escape from the Empress with the Consort and oh nooooooooooo

(Also what really riled me about this is the Consort having the gall to play the “we are both girls from the same place, we have this connection and I want to escape from court politics a moment to have simple fun chatting about our hometown that I miss” thing when really all she wants is to arrange a rape and forced marriage????? WHAT A SNAKE. SHE IS DISGUSTING.)

Back with Chang Su, he’s collapsed and the Good Boys are frantic. Meng comes by and is of course alarmed, and Su secretly signals to him that he wants a private, urgent word while openly asking if Meng would help him recover from the attack by balancing his energy or whatever. Meng quickly invents excuses for the boys to leave–Jing Rui is to get a doctor and Yu Jin is to get water, and they run, still in a panic, to fulfill their tasks, and I’m dyinggg. I still have a bad feeling about how much they love Su considering his ulterior motives about being back in court. They deserve a more honest friend and I think he knows it.

Now we cut back to Noble Consort Yue and Ni Huang alone at the Consort’s residence, as Yue planned, and oh nooooooooOOO. Ni Huang bluntly tells Yue to basically not waste time pretending to want to talk about her hometown and just get to the point. Also, Ni Huang’s skin looks especially flawless in this scene, maybe it’s just the lighting, but wow. The Consort simpers and agrees to get to the point. Did Ni Huang know that there’s some guy named Sima Lei who has been handpicked by the Crown Prince himself as her best possible husband?? He’s smart, martially skilled, has a lot of integrity (HA. HA. HA.) blah blah blah. The Consort also tries to use their shared hometown as leverage, this absolute snake.

Ni Huang neatly sidesteps by assuring Yue that she greatly respects the Crown Prince and when he is Emperor she will serve him 100% faithfully–carefully not committing to obeying him YET. The Consort seems to accept this, and suggests a toast. Next time they meet, she says, they will speak only as friends from the same town and not at all about politics. She apologizes. She then drains her cup and shows the empty vessel to Ni Huang, inviting her to do the same.

(SNAAAAKE.)

Ni Huang looks worried, and we even flashback to Su’s warning, but she’s also pretty well trapped. Plus, she was warned specifically against the Empress, not the Noble Consort. Slowly, she raises her cup to her lips and drinks. I scream at my screen.

Meanwhile, back with Chang Su and Meng, our favourite strategist is spinning up a plot with which to save Ni Huang, which is actually super thrilling to watch. We haven’t really seen his mind actively at work before, mostly just the fruits of his careful plans that were set offscreen. It’s exhilarating seeing him think so fast on his feet with such stakes involved. He confesses to Meng that he made a mistake and thought the Empress was the danger when now he knows it’s Noble Consort Yue, the Crown Prince, and this Sima Lei fellow who are the real danger. He then quickly comes up with a few things he needs done if Ni Huang is to be saved: firstly, Prince Jing is still nearby after that Baili Qi fight, so he needs Meng to alert him and tell him to go to Zhaoren palace (I guess that’s where Yue lives) and retrieve Ni Huang at any cost. Jing is a very accomplished warrior, from what we have been told so far, and is also both Ni Huang’s friend and rigidly moral, so this makes sense. Secondly, Meng needs to alert the Empress. She will be more than willing to intervene if she knows the Consort will suffer for it. Thirdly, Meng must alert Mu Qing, and have him arrest Sima Lei at the palace for trespassing, which omg just might be a death sentence for Sima Lei considering how protective and rash Mu is. Brilliant. Meng assures Chang Su that he will get all this done, and rushes away after helping Chang Su to his feet again. Before he goes, he asks what Su will be doing, in the meantime? Su says he has other matters he needs to attend to. Um, what? Really?? What could possibly be more important than this???? It’s a huge testament to his trust in Meng that he can leave the man in charge of saving Ni Huang like that, but it also feels like yet another example of how dispassionate Lin Shu is forcing himself to be for the sake of his larger goals. He looks verrrry conflicted, but he does continue on his way, leaving the rescue to his friends. Well, Jing isn’t his friend, but you know.

Back to Zhaoren palace! A servant arrives to tell the Consort that her son and his good ol’ buddy Sima Lei have arrived. Oh, how silly of her to forget she had invited them, cries this wicked woman with a smile. Ah, well, Ni Huang will just have to stay to say hello.

Ni Huang IMMEDIATELY makes her excuses and tries to leave. But the poison is taking affect, and she starts having trouble focusing and standing and the Crown Prince shows up with this daft, despicable Sima Lei tagging along (and looking VERY nervous, might I add) and NOPE NOPE VERY BAD. Btw does anyone know if this actor was picked because he looks like a weedier version of Hu Ge because that made me lol. Anyway.

Ni Huang is collapsing, the Noble Consort is pretending to be concerned while also having to silently urge Sima Lei to take the initiative and grab Ni Huang, because he’s an idiot. Ni Huang fights against the poison’s effect and manages to TOSS HIM ACROSS THE ROOM and I CHEERED ughhh I love this woman she’s so great! The Consort looks absolutely horrified by this show of strength, lol, and then screeches for her maids to stop Ni Huang. But Ni Huang is a warrior. Even drugged, she smashes all those girls aside like they’re paper dolls. It’s so good. I hate everyone who put her in this situation, and I’m so proud of how she is fighting her way out of it.

Cut to the Empress doing one better than what Chang Su had asked of Meng and instead of just going herself to intervene she’s taking the old grandmother as welllllll. I am instantly on guard, because ALL scenes with that kindly old woman in them end in abject misery. ALL OF THEM.

Then Jing shows up at the gates of Zhaoren palace and when he is denied entry he just OBLITERATES the guards with an expression of being 1000% done on his face and this might be my favourite moment of the entire episode, oh my goshhhh. I love him so much. I keep saying that about everyone, I know, but I ESPECIALLY love this angry, stubborn, has-no-patience-for-your-nonsense Prince Jing. Wang Kai is SO GOOD in this fight sequence, just watch his expression, it’s priceless.

He fights his way into the courtyard just in time to see Ni Huang struggling out of the door, barely able to stand. The look on his face when he sees her–fury, but also genuine shock, because how dare they!! He instantly flies to her side and when she says they must leave he instantly supports her and off they go. He is THE BEST. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. PLS LIN SHU MAKE HIM EMPEROR.

Before the two can make good their escape, though, they are surrounded by dozens of palace guards, many of whom are carrying crossbows, all of which are aimed at Jing. The trio of villains show up and try to intimidate Jing, with the Crown Prince even scolding him for ABDUCTING THE PRINCESS WTH???????!!???

Jing doesn’t even turn around when he spits out a 100% venomous “You know what you have done” in reply. I don’t even speak Mandarin and I can tell that his delivery on that line was KILLER. The righteous rage just radiates off it, lol.

He then barks at the guards to move aside and the Crown Prince actually flinches back, ahahaha, but then the Consort tells her son that Jing is too unmanageable and they’ll just have to kill him(?!). THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY.

(Also, Sima Lei is in the background of all this looking increasingly unhappy to be there, like he’s thinking he didn’t sign up for this mess. YES YOU DID YOU FILTH NOW DEAL WITH IT.)

The Crown Prince is worried about killing another prince, as that’s a serious crime, but his mother just says it’s a good thing that the Emperor doesn’t like Jing much, and that’s so infuriating but also so sad, because at this point I can believe the Emperor would be pretty okay with turning a blind eye to someone getting his irritating son out of the way. So the Crown Prince announces to the guards that the situation is Jing broke in to try to assassinate the Noble Consort and Ni Huang, and therefore must die. Jing has a curious reaction to hearing this accusation, I’m not sure what it means–I wonder if he’s remembering the false accusations that killed people he loved years ago? He probably is, but I can’t tell what that makes him feel in this moment. Angrier at the Crown Prince? Angry at himself for blundering into the same fate? Just–upset? Well, he doesn’t have long for whatever that emotion was because the crossbows fire and he leaps into action by CUTTING ALL THE BOLTS RIGHT OUT OF THE AIR GO ON JING GO ON SHOW THEM HOW AWESOME YOU ARE.

But there’s too many, so he whirls his way to the Crown Prince and in a flash has his sword at his horrid brother’s throat, using him as a shield. The squawking sound the Crown Prince makes at this moment made me laugh for about a minute. The Consort screams at Jing about how dare he threaten the CROWN PRINCE’s life????? And Jing replies with the coldest sass I’ve ever heard and THE best line of the entire episode:

It’s normal for me to seize the commander of the army. YEEEEAAAAAAAAHHH

The sniveling Crown Prince asks Jing what he plans, and Jing demands that he and Ni Huang be allowed to leave. The Consort says well what if she doesn’t? Surely Jing won’t DARE to kill the Crown Prince? Jing just presses his threat, totally unfazed, and I love him even more. The Crown Prince starts wailing for his mama to save him and it’s beautiful. I’m relishing this moment so much. And then, in the midst of this madness, the Empress and Grand Empress Dowager finally arrive.

Noble Consort Yue’s expression at this development is hilarious. She sends Sima Lei away, telling him to run out the back door and to pretend he was never there, something he looks only too glad to do. She then quickly tries to bargain with Jing, proposing they both pretend nothing happened. In that way she will not be punished for her attack on Ni Huang, and Jing will not be culpable for his threat against the Crown Prince’s life. Jing’s face is like stone. He drops the Crown Prince after a moment of tense thought and then returns to Ni Huang’s side, where she is practically unconscious on the floor.

In come the Empress and the Grandma Empress (easier to type than her full title, lol). The Noble Consort immediately tries to put her plan of coverup into effect, saying Ni Huang passed out because she got drunk from drinking wine. The Empress is smugly skeptical, saying isn’t Ni Huang a war hero? Why then would she get drunk so easily? (Side note, I am so tickled that she equates being good at soldiering with being good at drinking but where is the lie lol)

The Consort tries to say it’s because Ni Huang is stressed about the marriage tournament???? Ok sure, whatever. Jing meanwhile is just kneeling nearby, cradling Ni Huang and glaring bloody murder. He’s wonderful. Just look at how protectively he’s hugging Ni Huang T_T But he hasn’t spoken up, which surprised me, actually; maybe his sense of self-preservation is actually keeping him quiet???? Not what I expected. I wasn’t really aware of him having any particular feeling of self-preservation, only duty; but perhaps Mei Chang Su’s plan of getting him on the throne and defeating his two hateful brothers has now given him reason for caution?

The Empress’ face is impassive but her glee at the situation comes through anyway. If what the Noble Consort says is true, she says, then why is the courtyard filled with armed guards? The Consort struggles to come up with an answer for that one. Oh, she finally titters, the Crown Prince wanted to show her a fun military exercise. The Empress’ predatory glee does not abate: what could possibly have possessed the Crown Prince and his mother to leave Ni Huang passed out drunk on the ground of their courtyard, which is open to the sky, no less, while they watched a military exercise on a whim??? The Consort’s eyes dart frantically as she tries to think of another lie while her pasted-on smile slowwwwwly wilts and it’s really funny seeing her in such a bind. I hate this character but the actress is really good.

Grandma Empress is both curious and distressed about the “child” lying on the ground (ughhhhh she’s just too sweet for this horrid family and their horrid politics, all she wants is just to have happy (and married lol) grandchildren I’M SO UPSET. And Jing’s face when she walked in, when was the last time the out-of-favor Prince Jing saw his grandma’s face UGH). The Empress tells her it’s ok; Ni Huang is just drunk but she will wake soon. That’s both a threat and a promise to the Noble Consort; they both know Ni Huang knows she was NOT merely drunk, and when she wakes the Consort will be in BIG trouble.

Meanwhile, the fleeing Sima Lei runs smack into the waiting Mu Qing, who yells at him about how dare he attack Ni Huang and then proceeds to order an entire gang of soldiers to beat up the shrieking Sima Lei and this is the best thing ever, it’s everything I ever wanted for this episode. The icing on this cake of violence is that during the flurry of movement as all the soldiers start kicking and whaling on Sima Lei, if you focus on Mu you can see him grimly, deliberately rolling up his massive and magnificent sleeves while he stares menacingly at Sima Lei, and I had to pause the episode because I was laughing so much. PUNCH HIM, MU. PUNCH HIM HARD.

Later, the Emperor–who, remember, has been having a pretty great day up to this point–is called upon by Ni Huang to deliver just punishment upon Noble Consort Yue for her horrendous actions. The Consort tries to sell her lies again, but she’s obviously scared out of her mind, which is so fun to see. Ni Huang is scathing and cold and will have absolutely none of her excuses. The Emperor grows increasingly upset; it has been evident from the first episode that he has a special fondness for Ni Huang, so of course any attack upon her would provoke his fury, but the accused is his favorite concubine, so of course he doesn’t want to believe she committed such a crime. I would feel sorry for him, except I remember what he did to Jingmum so I’m totally okay with him suffering.

Desperate, Yue kneels and begs the Emperor to investigate whether Sima Lei was ever in her palace; she says he was not and her servants will back her. Of course they will, Ni Huang sneers, they are YOUR servants! They have to support whatever you say! No chill Ni Huang is my favourite Ni Huang.

Yue tries to insist her servants would not lie to the Emperor, and then points out that despite the accusations, the Empress did not actually SEE anything criminal happening, nor did she see Sima Lei. Yue even tries to claim that she and her son are the real victims here, as Ni Huang doesn’t like them very much and makes such accusations against them because she supports the Empress. If Ni Huang’s looks could kill, the Consort would have dropped dead right exactly there. Not cowed, Yue continues and asks Ni Huang: if you were attacked in my palace, why are you unhurt? And if I was plotting against you, how in the world did the Empress arrive at exactly the right moment to save you?

Ni Huang bolts to her feet, having had ENOUGH, and shouts yet another great line of this episode: I have fought against hundreds of thousands of enemies in war. And yet none of them are as vicious as this woman in the harem! This moment of her fury bubbling over made me want to cheer. The Noble Consort also jumps up and again tries to play the victim–Ni Huang is picking on her and has no proof!–and for a brief moment Ni Huang looks like she’s going to punch her. I REALLY WANTED HER TO PUNCH HER. Instead, we get something just as good–the announcement of the arrival of Prince Jing.

AND HE TELLS THE TRUTH. He kneels before the Emperor, and reports completely truly on what happened in the courtyard of Zhaoren palace, including the facts that Sima Lei was there and that Jing himself was forced to threaten the Crown Prince’s life to save both his own life and Ni Huang. I am so, so proud of Prince Jing; I KNEW he wouldn’t let me down! I’m also worried about how he’s exposed himself to very severe punishment–easily execution, I’m sure–for the sake of supporting Ni Huang and making sure she gets justice, but there’s no way he’s getting killed this early in the drama. He will be fine. And he’s reaffirmed both how good he is and how bullheaded he is, lol. Where is Mei Chang Su to pull him out of this fire he’s hopped into?? (There actually is a small scene here which shows Chang Su talking with Prince Yu and then Yu hurries away in his fancy palanquin, but I’m not sure what that means. It has to be the important other business Su said he had to take care of earlier in the ep, but is it related to the Ni Huang situation or is it something else? Jing Rui and Yu Jin are also there, and Yu Jin asks whether now that’s taken care of Chang Su would come watch him play polo later? Yu Jin, you’re a dear. Also, how great would a filler polo episode be?????? I know I won’t get it but now I want it.)

The Emperor of course immediately latches onto the whole Jing-took-the-Crown-Prince-hostage thing because he’s awful and biased, but Jing also uses his own “crime” to add credence to Ni Huang’s claims: why would he confess such a thing, and why would the Consort want him to be quiet about it, if it were not true?

The Emperor is FURIOUS. He asks the Noble Consort for the truth, and she–backed into the corner by all these witnesses–stops denying it but also does not confirm, still trying to play the victim who is being bullied by all these others. THEN Meng shows up!! The Emperor grumbles about “oh here comes another one” which made me lol but Meng is here with maybe the most important proof of all: he’s arrested one Sima Lei who was trespassing at Zhaoren palace. DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN.

The Consort looks absolutely thunderstruck: she knows she is DONE. The Emperor has no longer any excuse he can use to believe in her innocence; she is overwhelmingly trapped. After all that talk about posture earlier it’s a fun little detail that she and the Crown Prince are practically cowering as they kneel, hunched low to the floor, while Wang Kai is careful that his supplicant Prince Jing is straight as a board. Kneeling like that looks really painful, btw, I personally can’t kneel like that even on a soft floor due to dance wear and tear, and I hope he has a cushion hidden under those robes or something. I’m wincing every time they show him lolll. Kudos for the commitment, Wang Kai.

The Consort falls apart and starts wailing about how ok, she’s guilty, but her son had nothing to do with it!!! She was acting on her own to try to help him!!!! He has not denied his involvement out of a sense of filial piety that forbids him from accusing his mother!!!!! He’s too good and naive and she worries all the time he will be taken advantage of and that’s why she made this mistake!!!!!! Blah, blah, blah. The Emperor, thankfully, sees through this, and points out her son IS THE CROWN PRINCE. He should be strong enough in character and secure enough in his power not to feel threatened by political games! This point is valid and also feels like a MAJOR blow against the Crown Prince, as it demonstrates he is weaker than a Crown Prince should be. A Crown Prince should be seen as a filial son, yes, but not a mama’s boy! It’s a major error on his mother’s part. But she has also successfully provided an excuse for her son that the Emperor can willfully turn a blind eye to. He rages at her for a while, but not at her son, and then asks for Sima Lei to be brought. Hilariously, Meng says he would have to be carried: Mu broke Sima Lei’s legs. Ni Huang looks pleased. The Emperor considers, then just sort of shrugs it off, which also made me laugh. For a scene with VERY high stakes, there’s a lot of funny bits to leaven the serious stuff.

The Emperor further punishes Sima Lei with exile and loss of title and punishes his father too, which is too bad for his father. Then the Crown Prince crawls forward and starts wailing about please forgive his mother, don’t kill her, he wouldn’t be able to bear it, he will apologize on her behalf, pls dad plssss

(The camera cuts to Jing’s face a few times as he watches this display, but I can’t tell what he’s thinking. It’s interesting that they do keep showing him, though. Is it to drive home to us the viewers the contrast between his silence and the Crown Prince’s groveling? Or is he remembering Prince Qi (who I still don’t really know much about except that he was falsely convicted of some kind of treason and that Lin Shu and Jing both adored him, which is enough to make me on his team of course) and seeing the contrast between Qi and the Crown Prince, not the Crown Prince and himself? Maybe it’s supposed to be both. Anyway, it’s an editing choice that stands out.)

After more anger the Emperor shows a hint of sadness and softening as he lays one hand on his groveling son’s head. Everyone present knows this indicates he will have at least some mercy. He strips Noble Consort Yue of her high status and title and puts her on house arrest–but he does not kill her or banish her outright. What a pity. He then turns his attention to Prince Jing:

Jingyan, do you know what you have done wrong?

And end episode! Argh! I so want Jing’s reply to be a snide “nothing, I’m perfect,” but that would definitely get him killed so maybe not. It’s true, though.

#badpoet watches nif #nirvana in fire #nirvana in fire episode 5 #badpoet watches

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abadpoetwithdreams · 7 years

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Nirvana in Fire Episode One Reaction

I DID IT. I FINALLY WATCHED THE THING. AND I LOVED IT.

I want to race into episode 2 instead of pausing to write this but I promised I’d share my reactions as I go, so here I am XD

Oh, and before I get any further I want to state for the record that I am pretty much unspoilered for this entire show. I’ve seen gifsets around Tumblr and such but I’ve always been careful to avoid really looking at them or any commentary etc. because I could tell I’ll probably love this and didn’t want to ruin it for myself. The only thing I knew going in pretty much is that it’s a Chinese period drama, that it has like a million episodes, and that I had the impression it was a slow burn revenge story of some kind??? Like I was getting vague Count of Monte Cristo vibes off it without any concrete evidence for them lol but anyway I don’t know anything but I’m ready for shenanigans XD

OK, so the opening credits started and about 20 seconds in I was grinning madly because the watercolor/calligraphy visuals, and the music is so gorgeous, and the butterfly motif had me wondering if that’s signaling this show will have a central theme of rebirth or transformation or if the butterfly means something else in China. No idea, but anyway all this had me pretty much in love before the show even really started lol just give me that gorgeous theme in every episode and I don’t care that there’s a million, I’ll drink it all up.

Anyway, as far as aesthetics go this show is so ridiculously pretty. The colors! The music! The people! And the production value looks ridiculously high, those costumes! Those sets! Those carefully calibrated filters! Mainly those costumes! Even the extras look more elaborately costumed than most tv extras I’ve seen, so that level of detail is captivating really quickly. Also the acting is great so far, I was worried I’d have trouble keeping track of characters at first (especially because the show introduces a lot of people very quickly that all seem important) but everyone’s actually very distinct and I haven’t had any problem at all. Each character has a lot of personality and individualized mannerisms and all the interactions have been really natural and well-scripted so far, I am so invested and it worries me. A lot.

The background context of the story was a bit more difficult for me to grasp (but I imagine the story will unravel it more and more as things go on so I’m not stressed about it), but so far I can tell there was definitely a massacre of a battle of some kind, probably unjust (because this is a Chinese history drama, people are always framing rival political powers in those), and our protagonist was the son of the General who died but he survived somehow? And has been haunted by this, presumably, or he’d look a bit more appreciative about living in an absolutely gorgeous house in some absolutely gorgeous mountains, and would not still be having nightmares about that battle twelve years later. Also he has very beautiful eyes. But his first intro (which was great, btw) doesn’t show his face beyond just his eyes basically (except for in that nightmare flashback where it was hard to see him anyway plus it looked like a different actor lol) so for a while there I kept squinting suspiciously at every new character like “is that him? No, wait, he doesn’t look like that tiny glimpse of face we got. Wait, is that him? No, hang on, he’s the prince. Come on, show me the protagonist you teased! WAIT IS THAT–nope, can’t be. Moustache.” It was a relief when the story finally introduced him properly. Especially because this proper introduction was him just gliding out of nowhere dressed all in white (again: COSTUMES) on a boat while playing a flute?? For no reason other than To Be Dramatic? And then he gently threatens a fleet until they turn around and run away? You. I like you already. Especially when it’s revealed later that he is Terribly Ill in some way and so this means he totally left his cozy fur cape behind while he went out on a chilly, misty river purely for the sake of Aesthetic. I LIKE.

Also he’s got a surly kid bodyguard who excels at wirework and I’m very excited about this.

Anyway, our protagonist’s name is Lin Shu, and I’ll call him that for now because I can’t remember his other names yet (it will take me about 3 episodes to get everyone’s names, fair warning), and he is basically the number one guy on Ancient China’s list of hottest talents but I get the feeling that’s rigged. Like, sure he is obviously brilliant, but also he’s working with the people who make the list somehow, so. Unfair advantage. Plus no one seems to really know who he is outside of his reputation (that one happy kid was so excited to finally see his face, I was sort of disappointed the show didn’t show their meeting, haha. Also I loved that happy guy, he’s adorable and dangit I TOLD MYSELF I WOULDN’T GET ATTACHED TO ANYBODY). And he uses his fame and his connections with that awesome place with the over the top filing system to trick two rival princes into thinking they need him as an ally to succeed in their bids for the throne. I can’t wait to see where he’s going with this. He’s giving himself power by rigging a prophecy, so to speak, and that’s the sort of thing I live for in a story.

But after he makes himself desirable for these two powers, he leaves for the capitol with two OTHER guys instead. Don’t know where he’s going with this yet, but I’m keen to find out. He’s going to play all these people against each other, isn’t he. This worries me, because the older kid who came to fetch him clearly thinks they’re good friends, and I have the awful feeling that Lin Shu is just using him. Especially since I think his “friend’s” father, Xie Yu, is actually the man who killed HIS father and tried to kill him all those years ago? Yikes.

Other first impressions: The crown prince seems unlikable. Non-moustache prince seems a bit more likable but he’s too ambitious for me to trust him, no matter how cool his grabbing that sword was. His strategist had an amazing red outfit and I hope we see more of her. The doctor/scholar who treated us to a solid minute of midair sword ballet (gosh I love Chinese wirework when it’s done right) was instantly likable even before his cute conversation with Lin Shu, but I still have trauma from the doctor in Faith, so I’m trying not to get attached. Interested to find out what exactly is wrong with Lin Shu, but I’m glad he’s got this guy looking out for him, at least for now. Their conversation was honestly one of my favourite parts in the whole episode, because it felt like one of the last quiet moments before things in this story take off and I just instinctively wanted to cherish it, lol. It was one of many well-written/well-acted scenes that really established life in all these characters; that makes it feel like they have a history and lives before what the show has shown, and I love that. They feel like real people. Most everyone does, despite the heightened-reality sort of feel the show has, which is a testament to the actors.

The two princes’ mothers only got one scene, but their obvious hatred for each other was hilarious and I want more of them, too. Oh, and also THE PRINCESS. I can’t even say how excited I was when she rode up in her armor and started flying around–again, just for kicks, there are no high stakes to this swordplay yet. And she was engaged to Lin Shu in his past life????? (His face when he was hiding in the palanquin and realized she was there aaaaahhhhhh) And she is basically doing the martial version of Penelope’s trick where she keeps putting off getting married? Excellent. I loved her line when the Emperor chided her, saying that she is a better fighter than any man, so if she insists her future husband must defeat her in combat she will never marry:

“Don’t worry, your Majesty. If I do meet the man I’m destined to be with, I will lose to him whether he is skilled in martial arts or not.” TELL HIM, WOMAN. I LIKE YOU. Her friend was intriguing but I missed exactly how she lost her husband–which side of the battle 12 years ago was he on? She seemed to blame Lin Shu’s family for some reason, anyway. I guess if it’s important it’ll be reiterated in more detail.

Let’s see, what else? There’s some background politics about a guy getting framed for something but I don’t know what’s up with that yet. Oh, and a couple of men on horses who appeared for a few seconds and then rode away again–I don’t know who they are but I’m assuming they come back. Costumes. Music. Lots of beautiful people in beautiful lighting. A sense that things are going to get Very Complicated Very Quickly. A bit of confusion when subtitles introduced Xie Yu as a Marquis, because now I’m wondering what his actual Chinese rank is because it can’t really be Marquis???? @buri-art enlighten me.

In summary, I am at least intrigued by all the characters and am already actively invested in a handful, which frightens me because I’ve been promised lots of pain.

And that’s my scattershot reaction to episode one! Any reactions to future episodes that I post will be more bulletpoint, but there was a lot to unpack here so it’s more rambley instead. Plus I watched this one episode probably three times in all, because I had to keep stopping and starting and rewinding (what happens when I try to find the time to watch a solid hour of anything, usually), so I didn’t really take notes while watching. I’m really excited about watching more. I want to know what’s going to happen! (Judging by the teaser footage for the series that played over the ending song (and that I sat through and watched the entirety of), it’s going to be A Lot of Awful Things. BRING IT.)

#nirvana in fire #badpoet watches #I'll tag these as #badpoet watches NIF #in case anyone wants to block these for fear of spoilers or whatever #cdramas

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