Welcome to the Open Thread, everyone! Thanks for joining in on this group watch of this very special show! ❤️

As I mentioned in my announcement post, these are my notes, exactly as they appear on Patreon.

ZERO SPOILER POLICY

We will be adopting a ZERO SPOILER POLICY for this Open Thread, except for events that have happened in the show, up to this point.

This includes, but is not limited to, how characters &/or relationships develop, later in the show.

The spoiler tags don’t work in email notifications, therefore, please take note that WE WILL NOT BE USING SPOILER TAGS FOR THIS OPEN THREAD. 

We need to protect the innocent! 😉

Without further ado, here are my reactions to this set of episodes; have fun in the Open Thread, everyone! ❤️

My thoughts

Episodes 29-30

E29-30. Y’know, I’d imagined that we’d start this set of episodes with Buyi picking up Shaoshang from home in his carriage, and them having cozy little conversations as he escorts her to and from the palace for her lessons with Empress, but.. that’s not the case at all.

First of all, we’re not even done with their visit with the Emperor and Empress, which I’ll get to in a bit.

And second of all, when he does start escorting her to and from the palace, he mostly doesn’t even ride in the carriage with her, opting instead to ride up in front on his horse, most likely to personally assess the surroundings, for her safety.

He does look fantastic on horseback, though, so I can’t complain too much. Wu Lei’s posture as our lovely general is just impeccable. *chef’s kiss*

Back to their visit at the palace, I must say that I really, really like the Empress.

She’s so kind, caring and appreciative towards Shaoshang, even though Shaoshang isn’t equipped with the gentility and manners of a noble lady.

And, our Empress is so gentle and wise as well, that I can’t help but love her, basically.

She sees and acknowledges Shaoshang’s strengths, and at the same time, she’s able to understand and appreciate Yuanyi’s perspective and position. Such a wise and warm lady she is. ❤️

It’s no wonder Shaoshang takes to her the way she does; this is the first mother figure she’s had, who appreciates her strengths, and praises her instead of criticizes her.

It warmed my heart to see Shaoshang basically blooming like a beautiful flower, as she basks in the warmth of the Empress. 🥰

What I liked even more than this, is the conversation that Buyi and Shaoshang share, as they walk in the palace alone, afterwards.

I like how honest and open their conversation is, and how that’s fueled by the fact that Buyi can see Shaoshang’s real reason for raising a complaint against Wang Ling, without needing to be told.

It gives me a bit of a thrill to think that he knows her better than she thinks. 🤩

And, when Shaoshang tries to explain herself, there’s a gentle aura of amusement about Buyi, as he listens. I like that a lot.

He’s not judging her for having an ulterior motive for raising the complaint; he just wants to understand her, which I love.

I also love how open and forthcoming Shaoshang is, in sharing how she feels about the Empress and the kindness that the Empress has shown her.

This makes me feel that Shaoshang is becoming more comfortable with Buyi, and that our OTP is therefore growing closer.

And, I also really like how Buyi positions his offer, that the next time Shaoshang is curious about the temperament of the Emperor &/or Empress, she can ask him, instead of risking her safety, by conducting tests like the one she just did.

Plus, have I mentioned how gentle he is, as he talks with her?? 🫠

And then there’s how Buyi offers to show her what kind of person he is, and then takes her by the hand, to take her to his secret place.

Ahhh!! The sight of them running together, hand in hand, while Shaoshang yelps a bit, that he should take care of his injured leg, is just the most lovely, heartwarming thing. 🤩

I love that he wants to show her more of himself, and I love that her first instinct, is to be concerned about his wellbeing! 😍

I have to confess, my heart leaped when Buyi addresses Shaoshang as Niaoniao, her family pet name. This in itself is an indication of their growing closeness, since only people who are very close to Shaoshang would use her pet name.

And then flailed all over the floor, when Shaoshang tries to get up close to see the stars in Buyi’s eyes, and he leans in closer to her, to give her a better look – and then tell her that in his eyes, she is the brightest star of all.

Faint. That is so melty, seriously, especially when spoken in that gentle tone of voice that he reserves just for her. 🫠

I love that this causes Shaoshang to smile in response, because right now, any time these two smile at each other, I find my heart floating with happiness. 🥰

And I am SO thrilled that Buyi is so completely undaunted, when they are interrupted by guards on patrol.

Not only will he not run, he will not allow the interruption to get in the way of what he was about to do, which is to kiss Shaoshang on the forehead. Eee!!!

The unabashedness and unapologetic-ness of it all! The gentleness and sweetness of it all!! SO GOOD, y’all. 🫠🫠🫠

AND THEN HE HOLDS HER BY THE WAIST AND GAZES INTO HER EYES, like those guards were never there. Melt. This feels so intimate and tender, at the same time. Meltmeltmelt~

It’s no wonder Shaoshang stops to squee into the wall of her house, when she gets home. I mean, how could she not, right, after such a momentous milestone? 🤩

I’m mildly amused by the crossed wires between her and Cheng Song, because, in the dialogue, when they talk about kisses, they don’t actually use any Subject in their parts of speech.

This creates the opportunity for crossed signals, where she thinks they’re talking about her kiss with Buyi, while he thinks that they’re talking about his kiss with Qiqi. Lol.

I just love the idea that Shaoshang doesn’t get much sleep that night, from thinking about the kiss – AND NEITHER DOES BUYI. 😁

Tee hee hee! I love the idea that our stoic general gets so excited about his first kiss ever, that he ends up barely sleeping the entire night, and thus keeps his men up with him too.

And he must be staying up every night due to that excitement, since we see him getting progressively sleepier, as he takes Shaoshang to the palace each day. Hahaha. I am quite amused by this. 😁

I just really love the idea that his relationship with Shaoshang is affecting him this much. 😁

In principle, I like the idea of Shaoshang enjoying herself so much in the company of the Empress.

They both look like they’re having a legit good time, as Shaoshang shows the Empress her skills in solving puzzles and building things, while the Empress teaches Shaoshang the more academic things that she needs to learn.

I can believe that Shaoshang would feel genuinely protective of the Empress, who’s been nothing but warm and kind and understanding of her.

When Madam Wen Xiu comes over to harass the Empress, I’m actually not surprised that Shaoshang would charge in there to protect her, never mind the consequences.

Our Shaoshang is the kind of girl who is completely led by her heart, and the Empress has clearly won her heart, with her warmth and acceptance.

The way she gets in there and shields the Empress, not only with her own body, but also, with her words, is so brave, even if it’s driven by a measure of naïveté.

I’m glad that the Emperor and Buyi arrive in time to stop things from getting even more out of hand, and I’m glad that Buyi gets Madam Wen Xiu to leave, so that things don’t need to get even more dramatic.

ALSO. I’m glad that the Emperor basically points out that Madam Wen Xiu had gone there to essentially harass the Empress, rather than make a proper request.

Yes, you tell it like it is, Emperor!

I can see why Buyi keeps dissuading Shaoshang from getting involved in palace politics.

What he says is true; things are often not what they seem, and there are so many hidden layers and facets, that someone like Shaoshang, who’s new to the environment, wouldn’t be able to gauge how her actions would affect, well.. everything.

But, it’s hard for Shaoshang to hear, because that means restricting herself and going against what her heart is telling her to do.

I can see why this is a point of tension between the two of them, and it does feel like something that’s organic to their relationship, that they would have had to address, sooner or later.

And, I also appreciate that beat, where Shaoshang talks about how the Empress needs protection even though she’s a strong woman, and Buyi then asks Shaoshang in turn, why she thinks that she doesn’t need his protection, even though she’s a strong woman.

I also do love how Buyi lays out his heart so plainly, with such poetry, honesty and earnestness.

“Cheng Shaoshang. When I was 15, I once saw the clouds on Mount Kunlun floating between the sky and the mountain peak.

It was so pure that it penetrated the depth of my heart, just like how you looked at me when we were at Hua County.

I love how unrestrained you looked when you spoke to me. It always makes me happy. I also love that you don’t fear the powerful and the difficulties you face.

Remember this, you were the one who started this first.

I don’t give out my heart easily. However, once I do, I will never turn back.

However, if you cannot do the same, I would rather take back my heart.”

Oof. When Buyi talks about potentially taking back his heart, I felt it like a punch to the gut, because I can only imagine how devastated he would be, if he really were to take back his heart.

He doesn’t give Shaoshang a chance to answer, but it does look like he’s given her food for thought, judging from the perplexed expression that she wears, as he turns to leave, and the rather lost expression that she can’t hide, when she sees that he’s not there with the carriage the following morning.

Aw. I hope these two manage to sort this out soon, because it does feel like an important foundation piece to their relationship.

On another note, I officially hate Third Princess, for the way she jumps on the opportunity to bully Shaoshang, when she sees her alone and unattended at the palace.

UGH. She is such a bully! 😡

I hate that she gets her servants to step on Shaoshang’s hand and pin her down, and even slap her. Grrrr. I want someone to slap her.

I’m so glad that Consort Chu comes to Shaoshang’s rescue, because that means that Third Princess’s reign of terror has to be truncated.

At the same time, though, as Buyi says, in the palace, all is not as it seems, and the kindliest person might turn out to be an enemy, after all.

More importantly, though (coz we need to get our priorities straight here), I’m more interested in how Buyi comes upon Shaoshang in the Eastern Palace, and immediately takes Shaoshang aside, by the hand, for a private chat.

That little bit of petty tension between them, where Buyi says he hadn’t been there to seek her out, and Shaoshang turns away, saying that then she won’t appear in front of him again, is just the sort of things couples squabble about.

And because this makes them feel even more like a proper couple, it does make me squee a little. 😁 Like, Eee!! They’re having a proper little (gentle!) lover’s spat! Heh. 😁

And then! How swoony is it, that Buyi just picks Shaoshang up and seats her on that parapet, so that he’s looking up at her, and then asks her, in that signature gentle tone – but with a touch of intensity this time – “Who hurt you?”

Awww I feel like he’s basically ready to go after whomever had the gall to hurt his Shaoshang, and punish them with the heat of a thousand suns. 🔥

And, even though Shaoshang fails to understand Buyi’s earnest warning about not getting involved in the affairs of the Eastern Palace, which is a bit of a bummer, I can’t help but be distracted by the facts that:

1, she addresses him as Zisheng! Ahhh! This is the equivalent of him addressing her as Niaoniao, because Zisheng is his birth name, and only close family members would have the privilege of using that name.

The fact that Shaoshang uses it, and uses it so casually, makes me feel, again, that they are closer than before.

2, she tells him earnestly that the whole reason that she’s coming to the palace, is because of him, because this is his world, and she knows that she will have to encounter these things, if they are going to be together.

And, she also talks about wanting to understand him as a person, which feels like such an important thing too.

Awww, just look at Buyi’s face in response! He doesn’t betray it much, but that soft look that washes over his face makes me feel like he’s melting into a puddle on in the inside, because she’s doing this for him, and thinking of them as a single unit. Eeee! 🤩

And then, when Shaoshang backpedals and says that she’s really doing this for herself, I love the gentle way Buyi takes her hands in his, and tells her that it’s fine, that she can do what she wants to do, and he’ll be there to protect her. Melt.

Seriously. How is he this melty??? 🫠🫠🫠

I love – love, love, LOVE!! – that they then smile at each other, as they continue to gaze at each other. Gosh, I just love it so much, when they smile at each other, because of each other. 🥰😍

On a completely different note, I find myself really liking Consort Yue.

She is such a straight-shooter, and she always looks completely unruffled as well.

She doesn’t cut her daughter, pouty Third Princess, any slack, and neither is she at all intimidated by Lady Ruyang, who, as her Aunt, is her senior.

It seems like she says whatever she feels needs to be said, and is completely fearless about it.

Not only that, everything that she says, feels well-considered and balanced. To my ears, she sounds like perfectly reasonable and logical, and not at all like the other petty ladies dotting our drama landscape.

Dang. She is a force to be reckoned with indeed. What a badass! 🤩

Episodes 31-32

E31-32. I just love how Consort Yue basically puts a stop to Lady Ruyang’s attempt to mess with Shaoshang.

The subtitles are quite polite, translating what she says as, “If someone doubts your future wife, just ignore their foolish attempt.”

What she really says, is, “If someone doubts your future wife, they’re all just farting.” HAHA. Oh my. How very crude, really, for royalty, but she just lets that fly, and with emphasis too. 😂

No wonder Lady Ruyang looks so insulted. 😁

The whole time Consort Yue is basically holding court with her regal sharp-witted zingers, the Emperor basically looks like he’s pretending that he hasn’t heard a word, ha.

BUT, I did love it when he jumps in, finally, and tells Buyi that he can marry whomever he wants to marry, and if anyone’s unhappy with it, he will personally make that person’s life a living hell.

Heh. I love all these pointed remarks that are officially about a hypothetical “someone,” but which are actually directed at Lady Ruyang, all because they can’t be rude to her due to the fact that she’s a generation above them. 😁😂

Also, with Consort Yue talking about how she and Buyi’s mother have been at loggerheads for years, and done rather terrible things to each other, I’m beginning to wonder what Buyi’s mother had been like, before she’d lost her sanity.

Had she been the manipulative, scheming sort, perhaps? 🤔 It’s not impossible?

This set of episodes, it boggles my mind a fair bit, that Shaoshang’s decision to give as good as she gets, from Third Princess, ultimately results in quite the fiasco.

It’s the complete opposite of what Buyi had requested of her, to stay out of the affairs of the Eastern Palace.

But again, our girl Shaoshang is led by the heart, and when Third Princess comes down hard on Consort Chu, Shaoshang can’t resist throwing down a handful of those fragrance balls, to trip her up.

Which then leads Third Princess to blow that incense powder right into Shaoshang’s face, during the memorial ceremony..

..Which then leads Shaoshang to tangle the tassles on Third Princess’s gown around the candleholder, which then sets Third Princess’s gown on fire, which then forces the reveal, that Third Princess had worn that fiery red (auspicious) gown, on a day of mourning for and honoring the dead.

..Which also reveals all the jewelry that Third Princess is wearing, which leads to her brother pointing fingers at her for using counterfeit coins.

Well, gosh, that escalated quickly! 😅

Ok, I’m preeetty sure Shaoshang had had no idea that things would come to this, so I don’t see this as her targeting Third Princess per se.

And also, if Third Princess hadn’t had all this dirty laundry, a little fire on her gown wouldn’t have come to this, yes? 😅

But yeah, this is the opposite of what Buyi had advised, in terms of not getting involved in palace politics.

And.. Shaoshang just keeps getting involved, doesn’t she, from spending time at the Eastern Palace with Consort Chu, to sympathizing with the Empress, and then talking with the Crown Prince, and advising him to approach the Emperor not as the Crown Prince, but as his son.

..Which ultimately interferes with Buyi’s strategy, which had been to have Wang Chun and Wang Long dismissed from their positions for the counterfeit coinage, rather than risk them doing worse things to endanger the course in the future.

Sigh. This is a tough one, because from Shaoshang’s perspective, she’s simply being sincere and helping the people whom she comes across.

Shaoshang doesn’t appear to be completely clueless though, that she’s going stuff that Buyi would consider ill-advised.

During their conversation, where Buyi explains that the Crown Prince’s extreme benevolence is causing dissatisfaction among many parties, and is a complicated matter, Shaoshang changes her mind about telling Buyi how she’d talked the Crown Prince through his troubles, and instead talks about the Empress eating a bit more porridge.

But, it doesn’t take long for Buyi to figure it out either, when things unfold in a different way than he’d estimated, and the Emperor shows favor to the Crown Prince, instead of censuring him.

And so, it all comes to a head, when Buyi and Shaoshang have that final conversation, at the end of episode 32.

Buyi tells Shaoshang how her good intentions might actually put the Crown Prince and the Empress in danger, and Shaoshang tells him that all she cares about, is following her heart.

In the midst of these opposing perspectives, that each have their own validity, the last thing that Shaoshang says is the thing that gives me pause.

It’s true that the only reason she’s facing all this, is because Buyi asked for her hand in marriage.

And it’s also true that after bringing her into his world, he hasn’t explained that world to her, in a way that would equip her so that she wouldn’t make the kind of mistake that he’s now talking about.

While Buyi is right, that Shaoshang shouldn’t have gotten involved, Shaoshang is also right, that he should have equipped her so that she would know to avoid the mistakes, and why.

It is really quite heartbreaking, when Shaoshang tearfully tells Buyi that she doesn’t know how to satisfy him, while still remaining herself. Aw.

I’m sad that Shaoshang won’t let Buyi take her home, but I’m also relieved that when she’s alone, she only sighs that it’s difficult being married to Buyi – and not something like she doesn’t want to be married to Buyi. 😅

Like I said earlier, this really is something that the two of them need to work through, in order to have a lasting and healthy relationship.

And I really hope we’ll get some progress on that, next set of episodes, because I’d like our OTP to be at loggerheads less, and be lovey-snuggly instead. 😁

Next Open Thread will be up on: Saturday, 18 May 2024!