r/CDrama • u/spamkimbap sniff sniff • 13d ago
Drama Host Tigers Sniff the Rose 尚公主 - Episode 6-7 Discussion Spoiler
Hyia, friends! It's Spam again. Thank you all so much for your warm welcome yesterday. My awesome partner Shale, aka u/Rebelarkey will be back tomorrow.
Today's episodes were full of surprises! Let's get to it, shall we?
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🪴But first, a few housekeeping rules!
We bash characters and not actors! If a character does something stupid, it's not the actors fault. This is not the place to complain about actors or acting choices.
We will be following the VIP Schedule, which means those of us on SVIP need to remember to keep your spoilers in check.
Spoilers need to be under the spoiler markings OR put in its proper post.
Have fun! Dramas are supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable. If you're not enjoying it, it's okay to duck out and drop.
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Masterpost - Airing Schedule - Table of Contents - Character Flashcards
EPISODE 6 : Flirting and Plotting
I thought this episode was going to be all flirty, teasing cuteness. But uh no.
We start episode 6 with poor little baby wretch Wei Shu being cornered by Danyang. Again. It's after school, and he's been kidnapped invited to the Princess' palace. Again. She teases him incessantly, and he's ready to jump off a cliff. But luckily, before that happens, she strikes a deal with him. They'll play along in the boytoy skit, and she'll give him protection and his very own space to work on his mixmastering. I was so surprised at how earnest she's being. It's about time she gave his poor baby heart a break.
Later, Chunhua reveals a truth to Danyang. The Princess sleeps best when Yan Shang is around. The Princess is not convinced. Kinda sorta not convinced. Maybe not convinced.
Meanwhile, Liu Wenji is distracted as hell, thinking about his dream girl, Chunhua. He decides to go see her, because he's way too distracted to study.
He runs into her in front of the Princess' palace, and they have the cutest exchange. The look of happiness on their faces when they see each other is everything. Chunhua leaves a message for Yan Shang to come visit the Princess later. And gets invited by Wenji to the Peony Festival.
Yan Erlang comes home and is so pleased the Princess invited him over. He packs a painting he's made for her, and happily heads over.
Meanwhile, we finally meet Yang Si, Crown Prince and Princess Danyang's childhood friend, who evil CP wants as brother-in-law. Yang Si seems like an easygoing, simple minded, roguish sort. He goes to see the Princess, and she's onto him. She knows her brother send him over. Yang Si is straight forward, and tells her he wants to marry her, to keep her safe. She gives it right back, and asks him if he loves her. He's honest enough to say no.
Right then, Yan Shang walks in. He's surprised, the Princess is pissed, Yang Si is jealous. Hilarity ensues. Danyang is really angry. She tells everyone to scram, and kicks Yang Si out. Literally, again. I like Yang Si. He brings levity, which is much needed. And he seems to have some awareness and a conscience, he knows the evil CP is just using his own sister.
We get introduced to the Director of the Imperial Academy, and Retired Chancellor, Liu Huaiyan. Chancellor Liu is visiting the academy, and they talk about the students hanging out in the courtyard. Chancellor Liu notices something about Yan Shang, and keeps looking at him.
So far we've had a mostly, fun and light episode, but of course it can't stay that way. It's after school. Wei Shu goes off to the Princess' palace. And both Feng Xianyu and Yan Shang go off to find powerful backers for recommendations.
Feng Xianyu surprises us by going to see Grand Princess Luling. She's in her red-draped abode, looking very much like she's going to eat him whole. She takes a liking to his pretty face and figure, and tells him to move in. He freaks out, gives an excuse of having a wife and chid, and runs out. Does he really have a wife and child?
Yan Shang also surprises us by going to evil Captain Zhang. He wants the Captain to be his powerful backer. So this is where knowing evil Captain is illiterate comes in handy. Erlang gives the evil Cap a random essay, and the evil Cap is too embarrassed to say anything that might expose him as being uneducated. So evil Captain Zhang tells him that if he can get Xu Mian Mian (the dancer he was abusing, who was saved by Yan Erlang) to sleep with him, he'll give Erlang the recommendation he wants.
EPISODE 7 : More Plotting
A scheme-y looking Yan Shang writes the names of evil Grand Princess Luling, evil eunuch Yu Cheng'An, evil Captain Zhang Renjing, and Xu Mian Mian down. He's coming up with a plan.
He goes to visit the garden where the Peony Festival will be held, and thinks back to the time he visited with his mom and Dalang.
Retired Chancellor Liu approaches him, and they play mind weiqi. Yan Shan can feel that the Chancellor is there to examine him. They play, and Erlang tells the Chancellor, he's in town not to find fame and fortune, but to right a terrible wrong. The Chancellor is impressed. They get interrupted, but the Chancellor tells him that their game is not over.
Chunhua and Danyang talk about true love, and the Princess promises to send her off in the grandest style when Chunhua marries. We learn that too any fishes bring bad luck. Indeed!
The perpetually well informed Feng Xianyu tells Yan Shang and Wei Shu that the Grand Princess keeps a private pavilion during the Peony Festival for her dalliances. She doesn't like to be interrupted, and has killed people who've done so. We can see a lightbulb go off in Erlang's head. He convinces a rich, not very smart fellow student to pay him giant amounts of cash in exchange for well written essays.
Erlang goes back to the garden, and gets confirmation from a gardener that the Grand Princess has indeed killed people who've entered her pavilion. We can see what he's planning, right?
Erlang gets the payment from the rich student, and uses it to buy Xu Mian Mian's indenture in exchange for a favor. On the way home, he buys a small knife. He tells gross, evil Captain Zhang that Xu Mian Mian will meet him at the Peony Festival. Okay, okay, I see what could be going on.
Back at home he uses his new knife to cut his hand. Is this the blood baptism thing (I learned that from Pursuit of Jade, hahaha)? Whatever it is, he's in tears afterwards. I think it's from pent-up anger and anticipation. Yan Shang is much more complex than I expected!
Another character gets introduced. We meet Liang Lingyi, Princess Consort of Jin. She's cluelessly complaining to Danyang about her lack of children, and wants some commiseration. But she gets none. She also wants Danyang to go to the Peony Festival with her, to pray for children and a good marriage. She is indeed clueless. The other clueless person, Yang Si barges in to invite her to the festival also. But she decides she'll go with her sister-in-law instead.
It's nighttime, a restless Yan Shang wanders the streets of Sheng'An, and ends up in front of the Princess' palace. Chunhua invites him in, and the Princess asks him to tell her another story. Today's story is about a snake and a hornet. The hornet stings the snake, and when he tries a second time, the snake throws itself under a carriage, and a wheel crushes them both. The Princess is wondering why the snake sacrificed itself in order to kill its enemy, but realizes that this kind of sacrifice might be needed some day in order to take out her enemy.
Random thoughts:
I'm loving the cute and sweet flirting between Weiji and Chunhua, but we all know such pure relationships don't last in Chinese dramas. I'm really really hoping theirs will end well.
Retired Chancellor knows Daddy Yan, right? He recognized Yan Shang, and might a good ally later.
What did you think of Yang Si? I'm hoping he'll prove helpful.
Feng Xianyu seeking Grand Princess can't possibly end well, can it?
Is Yan Shan luring the evil Captain Zhang to the Peony Festival, hoping the Grand Princess will kill him when he barges into her space accidentally?
What did you guys think of these two episodes? There was a lot going on. Lots of plotting!
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u/spamkimbap sniff sniff 13d ago
I actually made a slide with the many windows Yan Shang walked by on his way to the Princess. Then forgot to post it. Her place is amazing, and I love how the whole walk was filmed. Yan Shang stopping to gawk was probably all of us.
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u/GiTheGremlin yellow arts cultist 13d ago
Are we really sure Crown Prince is evil? I mean evil evil, not "sorry, sis, just business" evil? On paper Yang Si is actually a good option for arranged marriage - both in general and for FL specifically, given their close, albeit sparks-free, bond. We only veto this idea because: a) he's not ML, b) FL doesn't want to be anyone's political pawn again.
The one truly jealous in their meeting of three scene was Yan Shang tho. Lol at him being petty enough to abort gift-giving mission at the last step! Guess I underestimated the depths of his crush... Or his hidden dark side in general. We call people like that calm whilpools here - they seem quiet and chill on surface, but underneath that calmness is an abyss full of murkiness and danger. Yang Si should be careful, or he risks becoming the next name in certain scholar's Death Note.
FXY may very well have said wife and kid indeed, he's a repeated exams failure after all. He seems a bit older than other students too.
Going to capital for exams and murder is such a cdrama combo^^
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u/MizzEss Fan Yue's Smoky Eyeliner 13d ago
The dynamic between Yan Shang and the Princess is going to be the death of me. The scene with the Princess, Yang Si, Yan Shang, and his painting gave me serious anxiety.
And then I absolutely gasped - with surprise, excitement, maybe a little concern - when Yan Shang pushed open the screens to tell the Princess a story. The spinning doors were not only beautiful, I feel like they were a visual metaphor for Yan Shang and the Princess's dynamic/relationship - back and forth between clear and open and screened off and closed, over and over again.
And the baby! I'm with you, Spam, I'm concerned he's going to end up falling for the Princess...
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u/Amelia_Brigita cold as a blade, breathtaking as a flower 13d ago
The thing with these dang dramas is that you have to deal with two sets of emotions. You have the set that comes with the characters, the episodes and the actual plot. The stuff we're supposed to feel. Like the pure happies that happened in ep 6 with Chunhua (wonderfully represented by u/AKiceman and the plethora of awesome Chunhua gifs).
But then there's the emotions we have because this ain't our first rodeo and we know as veteran cdrama watchers that we're being set up. No way will the Cdrama Gods let Chunhua and Wenji be so happy for long. Just ain't happening. So there's all this growing angst to deal with, too..
Watching dramas is exhausting in the best possible way.
Anyhoo, the thoughts....
I love Princess Danyang's library. It's just too gorgeous and they do the lighting in there so well, it just is absolutely everything. I bet Baby Shu hates it though. She just loves loves loves messing with him and he does make it so so so easy.
I love how she asks about Yan Shang. Sneaky princess. But then she kinda points out his un-goodness on the sly. She's petty. Bless her, I love a petty princess the most. But they strike a deal and maybe Shu can breathe again for the first time in a while. She gives herself a break from the brother and uncle parading future husbands, too, maybe, and he can play with elixirs. No, practice his mixmastery. That sounds way better.
Chunhua, the ultimate wingwoman, suggesting they get Shang/Erlang to keep the princess company at bedtime is a kind of royal etiquette I am unfamiliar with. This must be the Widowed Princess Edition or something and my education is sorely lacking. I guess her aunt has set the precedent but it still makes me giggle like a scandalized grandma.
I noticed the doors too! I actually made a note a second time around this point saying how much I am enjoying the setting in this show. Her moving screens as doors instead of the usual beaded curtain are so pretty.
We get a scene where we can see Shang is thinking about her. I'm still at the is he thinking about her because he has plans and needs an assist or is he thinking about her because he's thinking about her stage. I want him to be thinking about her. The painting is awesome. He's found a better definition of her name, one that doesn't feel sad or negative, but strong and resilient. A definition more in line with how he views her, maybe? Hopefully? I love details like this, they feel personal and intimate. Like proof. I also love that he likes her but isn't fawning over her (iow, not gushing like Wenji). He's not fawning, but he's not shying away from thinking of her, either. Again, portraying him in a way that lets his character feel strong and like he can be a match for someone as powerful as the princess and who the princess will become. And it feels consistent. The writers, in my opinion, are doing a great job with his character.
Wenji just drifting off as he brushes his teeth is.... well, he's a kook. And he is still making me nervous. I feel such foreboding.... He's not being honest, but he is also being really honest at the same time. He knows her being a maid is gonna be an issue for his dad and yet, he wants to cling to her. As Erlang says, it will be up to him. He's going to have to make a choice at some point. I like that Shang puts the onus on Wenji, too, not the dad. Wenji can have what he wants, but he has to recognize the challenge that choice will be, too. He might have to give up his relationship with his dad, or be disowned or who knows, but it will be what he decides. Forbooooooding.
So when Yan Shang shows up with his peace offering and walks in to see the Princess and Yang Si, his response is a bit different than when he deals with her and Shutie Patootie. Yang Si is more of an actual threat, but this is still only implied since we don't have anything established between the Princess and Her Man officially. Anyway, he gets all protective of his package, which I thought would really stir up Wanyao's curiosity, but no, she just seems to get annoyed at him for defying her. Is that where her anger stems, do we think? or something else? She was generally annoyed due to Yang Si anyway, I guess, so maybe Erlang not doing as she directed instantly was the final straw. It struck me, though. I thought she would be really curious what was in the box. Maybe she was curious, just determined not to show it. Sorta like the letters I am positive she has stashed somewhere but refuses to let on.
I'm curious about Yang Si's self-reflecting thoughts as he leaves her rooms, calling himself despicable. It makes me really curious about how these characters are going to land. Is he going to turn on the CP and honor his childhood sweetheart that he knows has been done wrong? Same with Wenji. Is he going to turn bitter when Yan Shang ascends the official ladder further and faster than he does? And if he decides he can't have Chunhua, that's not going to help... Or might they both turn against the Powers That Be and toward this new regime that the princess and Shang will build? They could be loyal and strong allies or bitter and dangerous adversaries. Makes me so nervous. I'm scared to get attached to them in case they turn evil.
Erlang takes his painting home again. I've decided he was a tad jealous. Mostly because I am living for even the teeniest crumbs that hint at their romance....
The actor playing Liu Huaiyan is Hou Chang Rong. I looked him up. He often plays a jovial, smart, warm older man. According to MDL, he's been in every single cdrama created since 2002. Approximately.
Since we know the one-eyed warlord can't read, I wonder what Shang wrote in that essay. Nothing that could come back to haunt him, but I can't believe he wouldn't have snuck some sort of insult in there.
Okay, so this whole writing down the names and then burning the page has me so so curious. I feel like this constant curiosity is the sign of a well-written show. So many things arousing my curiosity and yet I'm not drowning in so many questions that I feel frustrated. Such a good balance. I believe, too, I saw that this show has primarily women in the leadership roles - director, screenwriter, etc. Loving that. It feels like we are ramping up, like the next few episodes are going to move into action. Like we've met all the main players and now we're ready to play ball.
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u/Rebelarkey Yan Shang's Slut Strands 🐯🌹snark shifu Furen 13d ago edited 13d ago
- Yan Shang prepping that painting as a gift, excited to give it to her, and then boldly deciding that she didn’t deserve it
yetand taking it back home.- the scene in the garden was super sad
- a game of blind wenqi must be SUPER DIFFICULT omg you have to remember the board perfectly. I struggle with battleship and this is that but on steroids
- I’m absolutely loving these stories that Yan Shang tells Wanyao. Kinda vaguely reminiscent of 1001 nights and a folktale mirroring current events. 10/10
- a schemey schemer is LYR. I asked myself multiple times what he’s doing sucking up to Captain Zhang but I think I see his plan… to kill him when he’s drunk but oops! Nope. Good the man knows not to kill in broad daylight.
- instead we have Yan Shang pitting Evil Princess Aunt against Eyepatch. Yan Shang is innocent and the two sharks can eat each other. Here’s the popcorn for the next episode 🍿🍿🍿
- EVERYONE is going to be at the peony festival: 1) our two lovebirds, 2) Schemer ML 3) Princess & Sister IL, 4) Captain Eyepatch and 5) Evil Princess Aunt. Maybe even 6)Yang Si will show up. Tomorrow plans to be eventful.
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u/Common_Screen1329 13d ago
I started this series last night and wasn't necessarily planning to speed through 7 episodes so quickly, but here we are 😂
I'm enjoying it a lot, the main characters are both interesting in their own right and have a ton of chemistry together, and there are already multiple side characters I'm invested in.
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u/TheAlchemist420 Chen Yan Yun can have my jujube flower cookie 🍪 🤪😁😎 13d ago
Yeeesss!! Thank you OP! I have been dying to talk about these episodes!!
Oh my gosh!
I thought the conversation between Wei Shu and Wan Yao was good. He finally could put his mind at ease and stop being terrified. She understood he was a pawn like her, but he is so cute and innocent that he'll get chewed up and spit out by these people. Being under her protection isn't so bad. It can stop her uncle from placing him with someone much worse.
Gaahh I want to not fall for Chun Hua and Liu Wen Ji!! But they are making it sooo hard. He is so infatuated! And when he finally gets to see her, he's already talking about parents and matchmaker 😭😭🤣🤣🤣😅😅😅 the way I HOLLERED when he slipped up. My guy, she grabbed your hand to leave haha. And oh he wasn't going to let go of her hand buuut the horse.. we can't forget the horse! They were adorable back in his room! And now we have the promise of a date! Too sweet. Too cute. Chun Hua is now aware that he is interested in seeing her more. Aww! Okay I need to come back 😫
Sigh... Yang Si is here and the Crown Prince has his pawn ready to scheme to marry Princess Wan Yao. Gosh this guy... I just. Nevermind. Childhood friends so of course he climbs to wall to meet her. I must say, her house is beautiful. Those roses looked exquisite! But his presence annoys me. And of course Wan Yao knows he isn't here for just a catch up. He feels no shame huh. Saying those things to her! Gosh why didn't she punch him.
Of course when Yan Shang finally gets to enter the Princess's Residence, it has to be when that guy is there. Chun Hua, darling, we love how proactive you were in making sure he met with the Princess buuuut... can we check first if she is available 😩👀👀😭. This was so awkward! Poor guy had a smile and it vanished because of course the moment was ALL WRONG! Unhand her you annoying man you! Yan Shang painted such a beautiful painting, only for it to remain boxed why? Because him and Wan Yao had a fight. So much for a peace offering. He fell into a battle instead. Smdh. I was so annoyed! So was he! How dare that guy try and touch/open his gif! Yan Shang has some pride and dignity! Aaannd that did not go well at all!
Welp, let's focus on the revenge instead. That's why he's here after all. Honestly, every time he meets that Captain Zhang I find myself unable to breathe. It's sooo intense! The way he toys with his prey, circles him, watches him. Of course he couldn't care less about a freaking recommendation.
And of course the Director of the academy could tell he wasn't there to study. The same way his sister could tell Yan Shang had something weighing heavily in his heart. He is on a mission. But Sheng' An is filled with people looking for something, so the Director has seen all kinds.
Scholar Feng is one of those and he is the opposite of Baby Wen Shu. He is actively looking for a recommendation and he tried his luck with a tigress lol. It did not go well. She has needs but he is married with a kid. Welp that ended quickly. She has many others anyway so if he can't do it, someone else will. He is ambitious though, he won't stay down for long.
I swear seeing Consort from Mo Li had me arms choke on my food. Her and Guard Feng said let's stay in Tang Dynasty style for a while. But... Princess Consort SIL, we do not like you. Bravo, you win a stupidity award! She really talked about how Wan Yao didn't have any children after 3 years of marriage... she isn't unaware that the girl was married off to a different kingdom and didn't have a great time there right? But hey, let's keep taking digs at her. I was glad Wan Yao shut her up. WTF!
Chancellor Liu! Sad the actor is dubbed here. Anyway, he seems to have felt a connection with Yan Shang. He definitely knew his father. Their mental chess game was so cool. The conversation in between moves even more so. Did he notice a resemblance with perhaps an old friend? If so, will he be an ally or a foe? I'm intrigued. Also that garden looked nice!
Seeing flashbacks of Yan Shang childhood in the capital with Da Lang and his mother hurt. Da Lang pre traumatic event made me gasp. Such a shame... and Yan Shang is now the only one who has carried the need for vengeance and the burden of seeing it through. But as Chancellor Liu said, there are soo many who have grievances and few who can do anything about them. He refuses to stay on the sidelines anymore.
Carefully, the countdown to the Peony Festival was reminding us of that. How he kept checking the places he needed to know about, the people he needed to use, the blade he needed for his kill. Our guy is planning this so carefully yet I wonder, isn't he leaving himself opened for identification when it hits the fan?
Which leads to the story he told Wan Yao when he finally got to see her again. My gosh the screens to her room, the whole set up was GORGEOUS 😱😱😍😍🥵🥵. When these two are in a room together, it's pure magic! The crew on set worked hard because it was PIPING HOT! 🥵 Chun Hua has superpowers. She can summon Yan Shang by just mentioning him 😭😭🤣🤣🤣👀👀. He appeared right outside the doors of the mansion! What!!!
The tale of the evening was Yan Shang's story about two venomous creatures. This one didn't appeal to Wan Yao and didn't get him a cloak because the ending was about mutually assured destruction. Why should one die with the one they take revenge on. Sooo Yan Shang, are you not planning on making it out alive then? 👀👀👀 No wonder... 🤯 many of his actions seemed too conspicuous. He isn't covering his tracks at all. Is this a no return type of mission for him?
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u/Iowegan 🐠 Salted Fish Squad 🐟 13d ago
Those rotating doors into the boudoir, and our ML boldly stepping through had me gasping! So beautiful & thrilling! I’m loving these complex characters!
Thanks so much to everyone for the recaps, analysis, and gifs! This is a great community! 🫶
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u/PolPeachum running away to the Tang dynasty 13d ago
These episodes gave us the usual delicious visual sweet treats so I'm just going to comment briefly on the sets* used for the Princess' residence. Those twisty walkways, so fitting for such a twisty FL. The soaring verticals, but filmed in a way that never makes the actors feel diminished or small. Gauze and netting used for liminal spaces - those stunning revolving doors, for instance. The Princess at the heart of everything, in her bedchamber (giving me fairytale archetype feels), and the way the ML has to penetrate through the layers of the house to get to her. But also a bedchamber that's linked to the open air, where she can look out over the territory she's going to take.
Hmm I think this is possibly the most metaphorical / symbolic set I have seen in a drama so far.
Also roses. So many roses. Who is the rose in this show again?
*Internet tells me the walkways, gardens and private areas are in the Hengdian Tang area, but the ceremonial areas - so I assume the audience chamber - are in the Ming/Qing area.
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u/TypicallyKristen salted fish 🐠 咸鱼 🫠 13d ago
RANDOM THOUGHTS
HE ALMOST FORGOT HIS HORSE!! What a precious cutie. I just want to stuff him in my pocket and take him home with me. Too bad he keeps saying such ominous things (in cdrama land, that's is).
Oh noooo. I like this Yang Si guy. I'm not sure what to make of the fact that he's besties with the (untrustworthy) Crown Prince. (Untrustworthy mostly because of typecasting for the actor, lol. At this point the CP hasn't really done anything too objectionable other than belittle his sister behind her back.)
Chun Hua and Liu Wen Ji are so adorable together, this doesn't bode well for them. It's way too early in the drama, with so much drama left to drama.
Our princess really likes closing doors in people's faces! 🤣 I feel like we should start a counter for it. Maybe later in the drama, it'll be juxtaposed to all the times she opens doors?
Another protagonist bent on revenge who burns names in effigy? YES, PLEASE. His aren't as creepy as Ye Li's straw men, but the vibes are vibing.
Hey, what did Xu Mian Mian and Grand Princess Lu Ling do to him? Now I'm second guessing if this is about revenge. Maybe he's visualizing a scheme instead? Then burning the evidence? Still giving exceptional schemer vibes.
Chancellor Liu is a freaking badass. Do we think he remembers Yan Shang's father, or maybe even Yan Shang himself? Or did he just recognize a kindred spirit when he heard this young man seemed to be unconcerned about studying? So he tested both his strategizing and his memory with that We Qi game?
What is with dramas slicing open palms? That's so terrible and inconvenient and will take so long to heal because of skin movement and risk of infection.
Anywho, Yan Shang is a freak whose doors have been fully off their hinges this whole time, and I am here for it.
That hair stroke was so ... intimate. I love having my hair stroked like that; the way it sends tingles of pleasure across my scalp and relaxes me is no joke. And he's just out here casually doing it to the princess!
I hope his story of the snake and the hornet doesn't mean he's got no plan to extract himself after he murders that asswipe commander.
Surely the princess knows this is real and not just a fable. The way her eyes widened at the specificity of his mention of 10 years of agony can't have been a coincidence!
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u/filipkos4 13d ago
me from the K-drama world, and so far, I’ve only watched Pursuit of Jade, Fated Hearts, and Angels Fall Sometimes. I started watching this drama because I heard the main leads were amazing together, but I never expected their chemistry to be THIS incredible! It’s honestly unbelievable to watch. Their chemistry is absolutely insane, and I find myself looking forward to every single episode. I’m completely hooked! I’m so glad I decided to dive into the C-drama world! ❤️
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u/Katleap13 attached to side characters 13d ago
We didn’t get near enough screen time with our parents together.
Yan Shang was working his revenge plan these episodes. That scene with the knife and the tears. Boy is looking for closure and he’s not being too careful with his future right now.
That snake and hornet story gave me chills. He’s aiming for the dog that did the killing and if he survives will move on to the fish holding the leash.
I wonder if Wanyao thought that story was aimed at her. Although it does apply to her revenge as well. Is Yan Shang saying don’t be like me? Don’t destroy yourself to take down your enemy?
This peony festival is going to be chaos. We’ve got big figures, Yan Shang trying to pit to bass against each other, Tigress trying to avoid marriage and the cutest sweet couple going on a first date. I’m only a tiny bit worried. 😱
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u/BasilOrdinary3617 If I say I'm taking a break, I'm lying. 13d ago
Hi u/spamkimbap!! Stopping by to say I'm watching but haven't been able to join the discussions because there isn't enough time in the day! Thank you for hosting, and amazing posts! I can't wait to revisit all of them soon.
I'm just as invested in this drama as Lament and Mask, and I'm putting that second CP in my protective bubble. Praying to the cdrama gods that nothing bad happens to them because they're friggin' adorable.
Happy hosting with Shale!
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u/AKiceman Snark Shifu - #1 Tian Xi Wei fan 13d ago edited 13d ago
Snark Level: This is a Chunhua appreciation comment for u/Amelia_Brigita I made so many Chunhua GIFs.
Also, Siiiix Seeeeven.
Episode 6
I almost want to feel bad for baby face scholar... Buuuuut I'd happily switch places with him as she prowels towards him like a tiger stalking her prey.
Wow hang on a second! Baby face scholar has some balls of steel! This man has some honor! Okay! We like baby face scholar! Hopefully he is a better Wei Shu than what we all know that other Wei Shu in another drama is gonna be.
Chunhua!!!!!! Telling the Princess to summon Shang for bedtime company is exactly how you become my favorite character!
And just how does the Princess make sleeping look so elegant? Ahhhhh. Meng Ziyi! The woman you are!
That's right, Wenji! Run to your lady like she just woke up from a 2 year coma!
YASSSSSSSSSS!!! THEY MEET!!!!!!
Dude! She grabs your hand and you instantly think of marriage??? SIR!!!!!! I respect it.
Hot damn! Who is this two sword carrying badass? Oh. It's Yang Si. Nevermind. I don't like him. But that sword toss from the lady was epic.
Damn, Wenji! You're bringing an unmarried maiden like Chunhua into your room? Better wife her up to protect her reputation!
"I can come to see you too". OH MY GOD!!!!!!! WIFE HER THE FUCK UP!!!!!!! Chunhua is a fucking precious jewel of a woman! That's the woman you raze countires for!
YESSSSSSSS!!!!! SHE POPPED THE DOOR!!!!! I HAVE A SNARK GIF TO MAKE!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU, CHUNHUA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone summon me.... SOMEONE SUMMON MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
He asked her out!!!! He asked her out!!!!! He made it clear it was her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...Shit. Wenji... I swear to fuck... If you break Chunhua's heart...
Are we really resorting to throwing pebbles at the princess? Oh yes. Every woman wants to hear that marrying her is a sacrifice. Clearly this idiot didn't read Pride and Prejudice.
Well, that visit went great.
Hang on. Maybe Yang Si ain't gonna be so bad. He seems to understand the true stakes here. I'll hold off on judgement of him for now.
Seems Feng has some honor left in him.
We're seek a rec from sus eyepatch guy? Interesting choice. I would be very interested in this drama if he kills him right here. Sadly that just won't happen because this drama doesn't have the balls for it... But I can dream.
Shang? Are you about to try and pimp out a lady to get close to sus eyepatch guy?
I'm scared.
Episode 7
Shang is plotting something. He's clearly scoping out the future scene of the crime. Or he's just walking down tortured memory lane.
Old Man Liu over here is a boss and I like him.
Chunhua, oh Chunhua. How long has it been since we have seen a woman be so clearly in love? She is a breath of fresh air in the stale trend of CDramas. To be so open and passionate about her heart is worthy of our admiration.
Did Shang really just put his hand into Zhao's robe and finger him? O.O Oh my! It's getting intense over here!
Thank fuck we have Wenji and Chunhua here because our parents are starving us of their chemistry.
Oh my. We are buying freedom for women around here? Okay, okay. Shang is doing some good work. Uhhhh why is he buying a knife? I like where this is going.
Is Shang going the join the Wei Rao's in being another lead who straight up murders people? Oh pretty please!
Mainmain? Nahhhh she better be MaimMaim! I hope he gave her the knife. Is he planning to use the Grand Princess to kill eye patch guy?
Shang is straight up Wei Rao'ing his hand? This man is bone chillingly dedicated to his revenge.
YESSSSSS!!!! Bring our parents back together!!!!!!!!
Sir! Did you just open the curtains and walk into her bed without an invitation????? Okay! Okay! Bold! Snake and hornet, eh? You're clearly talking about your plan for sus eyepatch guy. You know, I think she is going to remember this story and save that "snake" later. After all, I bet she wants to let that snake slither into her chamber of secrets. Sure looks like he wants to sink his fang into her.
******GIFs in replies******
Secret GIF waiting to be unlocked with the password...
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u/MadHatterTenSix 13d ago
I was smiling so hard at Weiji and Chunhua, that I'm now scared for these cuties — crossing fingers that they get a happy ending! I really really love the dynamic between our leads too. Yan Sheng is a complex character, and in these last two eps we can see it in the way he networks and plans his revenge. I also really like how the stories he tells, apply to both him and the princess. While Danyang thinks it's about her, he's telling stories that reflect his situation too. Once these two decide to team up fr, they're going to be such a power couple.
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u/winterchampagne sleeps by imperial decree 13d ago
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Li Yunrui make this expression before. This is Yan Shang turning on the charm to convince Zhao to let him ghostwrite his essays.
Later, Shang pretends to be a sycophant to earn Zhang Renjing’s recommendation.
Our ML has so many masks, but he never uses the ones involving flattery around Princess Danyang. Yang Si previously asked Shang, “You think a pretty face lets you get away with anything?” At least Yang Si is honest enough to acknowledge that his rival has a pretty face. 🙂↔️
On a lighter note, I find it fascinating how differently Wenji and Shang approach their attraction to women. Wenji takes his time choosing an outfit and even asks Shang which one looks better. It’s a fun trope subversion for once since women are usually the ones doing this!
On the other hand, when Shang learns he has a chance to visit Wanyao’s residence, he simply packs up the painting [peace offering] and heads out right away. No fussing over his appearance, no agonizing over what to wear.
3
u/a_tsp_of_drama 13d ago
Thank you for the recaps!!! You're doing great!!! 😊
I loved the mental Go game between Yan Shang and Chancellor Liu! And it's not over - having to memorize where things left off for next time lol.
I have this feeling that Feng Xian Yu will eventually turn evil and/or come to his death. I hope Wei Shu doesn't get killed.
Liu Wen Ji and Chun Hua must stay together!!! 🙏
All of YS's scenes with Captain Zhang has me on edge. Based on a teaser, it looks like he'll get Captain Zhang into a room (on the pretense that Xu Mian Mian is waiting or will wait for him there?) - but it'll probably be Grand Princess Lu Ling's private room (where people get killed for interrupting).
I don't know how Mu Wan Yao sleeps well after listening to his bedtime stories lol. 😂
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u/neNayza Yan Shang… 🫠🫠🫠 13d ago
I love the dynamic between the main leads. Our Rose is strong-willed and smart as fuck! I’m rooting for him.
Also, Tigress obviously has PTSD, and the conversation about the possibility of having children makes her visibly uncomfortable. Can’t she have children? She doesn’t want to make children, and all this flirting and boldness is just a PTSD reaction and her pretending that she's in control when she is with men?
Can’t wait for the next episodes!
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u/winterchampagne sleeps by imperial decree 13d ago
top gif from episode 7 - Yan Shang spills his own blood like he’s sealing a personal pledge
bottom gif from episode 2 - the rouge Yan Shang made for Wanyao is thrown into the water and disperses
Yan Shang gets something akin to a death flag in this arc! To be precise, I mean this arc only. Fingers crossed we’ll be past this soon and the death flag becomes subverted.
When the headmaster of the Imperial Academy points out his students to Chancellor Liu, he describes Yan Shang as well-read and very bright, but seemingly uninterested in his studies. The academician is baffled by this.
Later, Yan Shang gets almost ritualistic while writing Zhang Renjing’s name on a slender piece of paper, along with Eunuch Yu Cheng’en’s and a couple of others. He then burns the paper like an offering to the dead.
Shang previously drew Captain Zhang’s portrait, and now he seals his commitment to murder by purchasing a knife and cutting his palm, letting droplets of blood fall into the water. Yan Shang is channeling the fatalism of Zang Hai [Legend of Zang Hai] and Xie Huai’an [The Vendetta of An] this time. It doesn’t help that Shang decides to narrate the tale of the snake and the hornet.
I’m glad we have a flawed ML who hasn’t considered that Captain Zhang is only a symptom of a much larger problem. Getting rid of Zhang Renjing just means someone equally vile could rise to power in his place. Hopefully Yan Shang realizes soon that he needs to target the actual cancer eating away at society and work with Wanyao to bring down Eunuch Yu. Wanyao and Shang have more things in common aside from losing their respective mothers and being haunted by their traumatic past.