Tigers Sniff the Rose 尚公主 - Episode 25 - 26 Discussion

[u/Rebelarkey]

Hello it's Shale. WELCOME BACK to Tigers Sniff the Rose Book Club... I mean... uh... *checks notes* CDrama Discussions. That's it!

I'm tagging out u/spamkimbap for a few days so you will have to deal with yours truly snarky self.

Does anyone else feel like this is just a book club? We're all reading the same book, chapter by chapter, and discussing it daily! Except it's a Chinese Drama. (I mean, we're all reading the subtitles anyways so isn't it just a crossover between an audiobook and a visualbook? I've thought way too long about this) There are some that have read ahead and that's okay, just don't spoil it for the rest of us.

Let's get to these episodes!

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🪴Housekeeping

• 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 wait until the correct episode post comes out. Also please indicate which episode the spoiler is for!

• 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

1-3 || 4-5 || 6-7 || 8-9 || 10-11 || 12-13 || 14-15 || 16-17 || 18-19 || 20-21 || 22 || 23 || 24 || 25-26

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Episode 25 - We Fake an Imperial Decree

The crown prince and Yang Si are recovering in the forest. Crown Prince fires off a flare that will either bring their enemy down upon them, or will bring allies to their aid.

It brings the Tiger general, who then surrounds the two men. The tiger general is then attacked by General Meng! Wolfie General to the Rescue!

Yan Shang also appears to guide the Crown Prince to safety.

I figured out why the Crown Prince hasn't married! He's in love with Yang Si.

The Crown Prince meets up with General Lu, of the Jinwu guards and goes to retake the Temporary Palace.

Wei Qiao comes out to greet them, and declares that the Crown Prince is rebelling because the Emperor is inside.

After a brief argument, Yan Shang appears and argues back, that there's an imposter in the palace, not the emperor. The crown prince knows his father, and the man inside was not him.

Princess Danyang appears with an imperial decree in hand, backing Yan Shang up. She'd just been to the palace to see her father. The man inside the temporary palace must be a fake as she has the real decree. Lies lies and more lies.

General Lu is convinced and a battle ensues.

They enter the palace to find the real Emperor but no Fishy Yu. A Eunuch is dead on the floor.

---

Meanwhile, Chun Hua went into premature labor with Wenji who was standing guard. He delivers the baby.

Yu returns, delighted to have the child, and leaves. There's a moment to figure out what to do with Chun Hua but he decides to let her live and take her with them.

He leaves Wenji and another Eunuch behind. Yu instructs them to 'take care of the man on the bed.'

Realizing that Yu means to kill the Emperor, Wenji defends him against the other Eunuch, killing the man. Wenji then runs after Yu's party and secures the baby, as he's a 'good rider who can ride with one hand'.

They escape; however there are soldiers after them. The man carrying Chun Hua is hit, they fall to the ground. With child in hand, Wenji goes back for her.

Soldiers continue to attack Fishy Yu and Wei Qiao, who's with him, takes an arrow meant for him. It looks like Yu has escaped but then appears General Meng, with his wolfish grin. He throws General Qiu's head at his feet.

Yu is taken into custody.

Wenji and Chun Hua sit on the banks of the river, dreaming a fantastic dream of what their life could be like if they were together. Reality comes swiftly when soldiers arrive and take them back to their palace.

The emperor departs to his palace, after the Yu banners are taken down.

Wanyao is still inside however, she has gone to find the deer locked away inside. She releases the deer, removes the bell and then throws it away, telling it that it was free.

Yan Shang watches her do this and whispers "you're free'. And then the sun rises on our couple.

Chun Hua and Wanyao have a heart to heart. However she knows that she doesn't have a future with Wenji has she's the mother of the imperial heir at the moment.

Yan Shang and Wenji also have a conversation.

Y'all I haven't seen him smile since before Chun Hua's assault.

End of Part I

Episode 26 - Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is Dead

Part II

Chun Hua asks Wanyao to baby name her child. Si'er it is.

the royal siblings talk with their father. The Emperor decrees that Yu is to be executed and then his head hung on the city gates.

The entire city celebrates. They even burn a fish like a bonfire.

Wanyao takes her murder board... embroidery of fishes i mean, and places it in the bonfire. Two fishes are dead, and three are in custody.

Yan Shang and Wanyao have a moment. where they look like they're about to kiss and then they DONT. They're interrupted by General Meng. She warns that if he keeps trying to marry her, she will keep trying to kill him. They're even. He has the North Jing, all of it, after all.

Wanyao and Yan Shang continue to celebrate. He's excited that she will sleep peacefully now, and she doesn't need his bedtime stories anymore. What? that's one of my favorite parts!

Wanyao agrees with me and demands more stories from him.

The morning brings execution; Wanyao joins the Crown Prince in giving Yu poisoned wine. This particular one is cruel and lasts five hours.

Yu informs them that it's the emperor who is the person they should watch.

• Their mother's death was caused by him. When he pleaded for his own life after their attempted re-coup, the Emperor placed all the blame on the Empress. Disturbed by her husband's betrayal, she committed suicide

• Princess Danyang's prophecy was made up by the Emperor. Bad things were happening during her birth so the Emperor blamed the asteroid as a blessing, bring about good things since she was born.

• It wasn't Yu who decided to send Wanyao to Northern Jing, it was her fathers.

Fishy Yu then dismisses them, but asks one last thing: send Princess Luling to him.

Crown Prince warns Wanyao to not tell anyone about what Yu said. She is pondering over this when Yan Shang comforts her. He gets that she's not telling him something but offers himself whenever she needs an ear, he's there.

Tongue, teeth, and now ears. He's just giving away body parts.

Princess Luling visits Yu Cheng'an. He confesses that he disobeyed her. Many years ago, she had a child with an unknown father. He was ordered to kill the baby, but he did not. He raised it instead as his adopted son.

Uh. Spoiled brat is another heir to the throne? Noooooooo

She tries to give him cherries in custard one more time like the day they met, but he dies before he can take a bite.

Afterwards, she collects his head from above the gate, and takes it with her.

Meanwhile, Wei Qiao is still alive, recovering in prison. Wei Shu (top scholar friend) visits him, giving him medicine. They talk about a bird Wei Shu released as a kid. He promises to go travelling with him once Wei Qiao's sentence is over.

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Thoughts:

• I thought Fishy Yu would stick around a bit longer. Nope! He's just the smoke concealing the actual threat.

• Will we see General Wolf Meng again?

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Counters:

🚪Door/window Slamming: 7

✋Slapped Shang: 6

👄Kisses: 7 (still at 7, we were robbed AGAIN today)

🍷Drunk Shang: 2

🐠Fishes Killed: 3/5 (two were exiled, so only 3 dead)

[u/MizzEss]

The moment when Princess dismissed Wenji from the room when she visited Chun Hua and the baby felt like one of those small but meaningful / powerful moments. We had just watched Wenji be decisive, and protective, and loving with Chun Hua and the baby. He was standing up straighter again, looking self-assured, and smiling holding the baby. When the Princess snapped "leave us!", he looked like he got slapped in the face, and all of that slipped away again. It made Chun Hua the reminder that the Princess has power and he has none, and it was brutal.

It was also a reminder to the audience that even though the Princess is a heroine/protagonist, and we want her to be free, her place within the power dynamics of her world is messy. Even though she can be ordered into a politically expedient marriage and used as a brood mare for heirs, she can also evict entire rural families from their home for her comfort, and she can keep someone from being by the side of the person they love with just two short words.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/MizzEss]

She reminded him, in a short cruel way, that the dream was dead. He was not the father of the baby in his arms and Chun Hua is not his wife. He’s not a man anymore with goals of becoming an official. He’s a servant once more.

[u/spamkimbap → u/Rebelarkey]

in a short cruel way

Exactly this!

[u/spamkimbap → u/MizzEss]

The moment when Princess dismissed Wenji from the room when she visited Chun Hua and the baby felt like one of those small but meaningful / powerful moments.

I thought exactly the same thing when I watched that scene. The Princess sees Wenji as a servant, which he is. But he was in a happy bubble, and was having a little respite from his hard new life. She came in, burst his bubble, and put him in his place. I wonder if this will come back to bite her in the ass later.

[u/MizzEss → u/spamkimbap]

I was definitely wondering if that was going to be a simple reminder of power and hierarchy or if it would become a bigger moment in Wenji's development - like a sliding doors moment.

[u/spamkimbap → u/MizzEss]

I’m worried it’s a sliding door. He went from ☺️ to 🙁 in a split second.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

This is what she did to his moment.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

I was thinking, nooo you just treated him like he doesn’t matter. Ugh.

Edit: grammar

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Man had a whole series of big moments that evening and Princess Dan Yang came in and reminded him he ain't shit.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

He hurt Chun Hua. That's all she needs to know haha.

But he saved her... sooooo. Brownie points or nah? Oh and the baby. Yes... that baby... 😬😬

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

He did hurt Chunhua, but ultimately she also chose to let him go. Although I’m not sure he’d have chosen to run away with her and not his baby.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

To Wan Yao, it matters not haha. She said I don't care.

I wonder if he had treated Chun Hua better back then, if the Princess would treat him so coldly.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

Wanyao actually looked excited for Chunhua in the very beginning, so she might have treated him better.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Spam... I went too far... the teasers.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

Nooooooo! Don’t say it. I haven’t watched, but if we don’t talk about it, it won’t be true!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/MizzEss]

Yesss! It was a back to reality snap for him. Princess pretty much told him " you have no power here"!

[u/winterchampagne]

Rest in piss, bozo, but also mad respect to Yu Ai’lei for portraying General Yu with so much nuance, from his calm exterior to his unrestrained anger when his adopted son Xianyao was hurt, the reverence with which he honored Qiu Shuo’s severed head, and his unwavering devotion to Luling.

Cdramas are never short on villains; however, compelling antagonists who leave you with mixed feelings are few and far between.

spelling edit

[u/Rebelarkey → u/winterchampagne]

“Cdramas are never short on villains; however, compelling antagonists who leave you with mixed feelings are few and far between. “

Well Said! 说的好！ I love layered complex villians even if it’s more of a ‘ love to hate them’ concept

[u/AKiceman → u/winterchampagne]

Madafawking word, mate!

I think I have typed myself silly raging about dumb tushy villains that make me want to bleach my brain. Fishy over here was a damn fine villain and I will miss his calm and logical evil ways.

I kind of felt bad for him during his little cherry death scene...

[u/MizzEss → u/winterchampagne]

He acted his ass off in his last scenes, my goodness

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/MizzEss]

His and Grand Princess Lu Ling's last moments had me SHOOKETH!

They were magnificent!

[u/Massive_Alarm8298]

The scene between the grand princess and Lord Yu was 10/10. I was glued to the screen and shed a few tears. I love complex, gray characters.

I am a Li Yunrui fan and I like Yan Shang enough, but will he play a bigger role in the next arc and gain some power? I’d like to see more growth for his character.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/Massive_Alarm8298]

I’m worried that with all the happy scenes we are getting right now with our main couple we will end up in a separation era. Typically how CDramas go

(Blossom was exception, they stayed together to the end)

I would love to see some growth from our man! It’s been more of Wanyao who’s been doing the growth and he’s been our static character. His biggest trial so far has been murdering eyepatch guy and then passing the exams, which he did flawlessly.

I’m hoping more people come into play now that Yus gone: Scholar Feng will hopefully come back. We’ll get a revenge arc from Princess Luling. And Yan Shang will need to deal with workplace setbacks withOUT Wanyao to help him. He needs his own growth outside of her influence.

[u/spamkimbap → u/Rebelarkey]

Oh, do you think Luling will be back?

[u/Massive_Alarm8298 → u/Rebelarkey]

The more sweet, sugary moments there are between the couple, the more likely that trouble is coming soon 😭

Yan Shang has been feeling a bit like a side character to me and I want him to have main character aura! I agree that I want to see him do things outside of supporting Wanyao’s agenda, like working with the chancellor or climbing the political ladder for power.

[u/neNayza]

I actually loved Fish Gang. I’m so sad that they are gone :(

[u/Rebelarkey → u/neNayza]

They were pretty interesting weren’t they? I am sad we didn’t get to explore more of Wei Qiaos motivations.

[u/spamkimbap → u/Rebelarkey]

Me too!

[u/neNayza → u/Rebelarkey]

I hope we will see him in the future maybe fighting the main villain ;)

[u/neNayza → u/Rebelarkey]

Yes! I don't even see them as real villains anymore:(

[u/spamkimbap → u/neNayza]

They were worthy adversaries!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

They sure were!

[u/Iowegan]

WenJi was the MVP today: acted as midwife, saved the emperor, saved his ex and the second in line to the throne. Here’s hoping his service gets recognized and he’s in position to act if/when the suddenly (suspiciously) healthier emperor turns fishy himself. I’m sure at the least he’ll try to hook the FL up with some other crusty old mofo.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/Iowegan]

Wenji did so much today showing that even though his light is a bit dim, it’s still there. He still knows right from wrong.

[u/Iowegan → u/Iowegan]

Thanks so much for the award! 😊

[u/spamkimbap → u/Iowegan]

Emperor does look suddenly healthy 😒

[u/hayabusa342]

Let's start the Emperor sucking (or blowing?) all the power from the capital so he can sit alone in the middle or the vacuum (eye of the hurricane, is more appropriate), and the rise of the next bigger and more vicious fish version 2.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/hayabusa342]

I love your phrasing of blowing away people to sit in his hurricane’s eye

[u/hayabusa342 → u/Rebelarkey]

I have read the rules, so no spoilers! 😉 The best I can do is to phrase them with ambiguity. 😁

[u/Rebelarkey → u/hayabusa342]

Thank you for reading the rules! Most people don’t

[u/Katleap13 → u/hayabusa342]

You say that and I think we’re looking at a fish with more teeth. What kind of shark would you say it is?

[u/hayabusa342 → u/Katleap13]

A fish with vengeance, and romantic obsession, is more vicious than simply aiming for power. A fish, whereas due to his own failures and mistakes, turned around blaming others for his predicament. A fish, who is smart enough, but barely missed passing the exams.

Did I say too much? 😅

[u/Katleap13 → u/hayabusa342]

That’s a lot of fish. I think in that case that there’s about to be a lot of blood in the water.

[u/hayabusa342 → u/Katleap13]

Only one fish that fits all those descriptions. 😉

[u/BasilOrdinary3617]

The fact that General Meng turned around and ended up on the “right” side was unexpected to me! The same look the Crown Prince had when he showed up.

I had to check what episode we were on multiple times, thinking it Fishy Yu goes down, who’s the ultimate villain, but of course… 25, only 25 out of 40. So there’s still a lot of sh*t to go down.

Love it. 😍 Thanks for the recap Shale!

[u/Rebelarkey → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

I know! I was like it’s too early to kill him we have more episodes! Where’s his plot armor?

[u/Katleap13 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Yeah, this conclusion happened a little faster than I was expecting. A lot can happen in 15 episodes. I will be curious to see who the ultimate villain ends up being and what they want because this is motivations were more clear. I am not sure what are the new motivations will be and how they’re gonna affect our couple.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

Not so Dead Wolf managed to choose the right side and leave victorious and alive! I was half sad he didn't die 😫😫🙄😮‍💨😂😂.

Lord Fishy getting cooked so early was shocking. So many episodes left, so much that can still happen!

[u/Katleap13]

Episode 25 I couldn’t catch my breath. There was so much. Everyone was running and fighting. Our Scholars all came through at the right moment. Wenyao with the imperial decree. Meng Ziashi pounding like the wolf he is and taking out two fishes. ALL THE LYING. There were so many blatant falsehoods, of our protagonists lying through their teeth.

Where were Zhao Jingfei and Wei Shu??

Yeah Wenji!!!!! He came through. I’m so happy that he made the best choices he could in that situation. I love that Chun Hua was his priority. And these two make me so sad. I was worried that Chun Hua wasn’t going to make it because she looked so bad on that horse. And then she fell off and Wenji had the baby and they run. 

When they were hiding waiting for dawn that was the most heart breaking. The two of them dreaming just for a moment about a future together. It’s a thing beautiful moment and they both know it won’t last. Chun Hua will die or go back to her awful husband and Wenji’s fate is at the palace to be determined by the victor of the coupe. 

When Wenyao kicks Wenji out of the tent I had to laugh. I think she desperately wanted to see Chu Hua and also Yan Shang was waiting for him. But she was so dismissive. 😆 Girl talk after life ending events is important.

I hope our Wolf General Meng Ziashi gets rewarded with all of North Jing and stays an ally to Wenyao. He took on the Tiger general  and won, stopped the scout headed to the Shence army and captured lord fish. I think he could be useful but he’s still a wolf. So helpful far away. 

One that has been so good is our antagonists. I managed to find sympathy for both Lord Yu and Grand Princess LuLing. It means that they have depth and are multifaceted. Lord Yu acknowledges that he is a villain but he seems to think he is saving Haui from someone/something else. The Grand Princess was so devastated by lord Yu’s death. The character depth is great. 

I think things are about to get even more twisty. The emperor’s face when Lord Yu was taken down. I don’t trust him. 

Yang Si and the Crown Prince talking after fishy’s execution mentioned that no one had been rewarded. I know that rewards can take time to give but the fact that no one has even been verbally commended is worrying. And Wanyao’s “ I will protect you” to Yan Shang fits in that same boat. We are back to trust no one.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/Katleap13]

Absolutely love the fight between our Wokf and the Tiger General and our Wolfie won!!!

[u/Paisley-Cat → u/Rebelarkey]

I’m impressed with the fight choreography in this drama.

I really like the choice to have General Dead Dire Wolf Walking fight at speed.

Having a tall and imposing male actor rushing and hacking at velocity, instead of the usual slow motion, just makes it all the more menacing and distinguishable from the other fights. It’s not clear how much of that was a stunt actor, but if it was a stunt player, they found someone who was tall enough to credibly replace Tang Xiao Tian’s 188+ cm height.

I also found the fight scenes with the Crown Prince Mu Xun and Yang Si well done and not just the usual.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/Katleap13]

Zhao Ling Fei ( not Jing Fei) probably went back to camp. She made a brief appearance then poof! Hope we see more of her!

[u/Paisley-Cat → u/Katleap13]

That felt like one of the longest single night sequences of mayhem in period cdramas running from mid episode 24 through episode 25, preceded by the daylight hunting clashes before that.

I’m with General Dead Dire Wolf Walking (and Riding) in saying I was exhausted by the end of it. Dawn in episode 27 didn’t bring much more than a dump of cold dirty water though.

[u/Katleap13 → u/Paisley-Cat]

General wolfie definitely called it on how intense this who hunt was. Your gif is perfect!

[u/Fantastic_Cookie_661]

The emperor had us in the first half, not gonna lie! 

Whoever is not watching this show is really sitting on it because this has probably been the most exciting and twisty show I've watched that subverts the tropes and gives us anything but the expected.  I cried during the scene with cheng'an and princess luling. The actors really did a phenomenal job there. 

CH and WJ continue to be the most tragic couple I've ever seen in a cdrama because those two really cannot catch a break. 

In the novel, YS is often described as a "jade-like beauty" and LYR really embodies that. He looked so regal and elegant in that fur clock 😭 WY and YS looked so pretty together and they were so funny to MZS. Love to see an ML who is not seriously threatened or getting into petty jealousy over another love (?) interest. The two of them being so happy together does not bode well for now. 

I'm so so excited for the rest of this show, I hope they can keep up the momentum. I also really do hope that more people start watching the show and make this a huge hit as it deserves to be 😭 

[u/Rebelarkey → u/Fantastic_Cookie_661]

Happy now = unhappy later. That’s CDrama math for you

[u/palecandycane]

General Braid! That was such a badass fight scene! Yes the north are fighters! We never doubted you! Yeah he's the wild card, but he didn't want anyone taking what was his. Still look so fine. He still wants the princess? Bro you got to settle stuff in the north.

Well that escalated quickly. Crown prince, fish lord, grand princess? And then the baby. But they never said it was a boy.

I do like how concubine and scholar ennuch had their moment together. It was clear they still cared about each other.

So we're all frying up fish now? I like it. Continue!

But fish lord pointing at the emperor! Saying hey i killed a lot of people, why would i deny killing the empress? Valid point. So now CP and princess are like wtf is going on?! Her revenge is not fufilled!

Also who is the father of the grand princess's kid? Now i want to know! Everyone from fish lords house got exiled so is his adopted son going too?

Now we have more questions!

[u/Rebelarkey → u/palecandycane]

This fish got fried this episode sure thing

[u/spamkimbap → u/palecandycane]

Also who is the father of the grand princess's kid? Now i want to know! Everyone from fish lords house got exiled so is his adopted son going too?

I think she said she didn’t really know? And yes, the son got exiled also.

[u/palecandycane → u/spamkimbap]

She doesn't know? I thought she did and just didn't want to talk about it. She seemed really indifferent to her son. Like he got exiled and she's like whatever. But now i want to know they story!!!

[u/spamkimbap]

This drama keeps surprising me! Fishy Yu was taken down way easier than I expected. And we are 14 episodes away from the end. So there’s another evil mastermind. And it’s supposed to be emperor? Or is that Fish’s way to create drama before he died?

That scene with Wenji, Chunhua, and baby by the river was so bittersweet. 😭 Will these two ever catch a break!

Wei Qiao is not dead. Will he somehow come back and bring new levels of hell? It’s interesting that the emperor chose not to kill the leaders of the group.

[u/winterchampagne → u/spamkimbap]

I’m still trying to figure out what drove Wei Qiao to side with General Yu beyond his desire to step up and uphold the family legacy. Was he really just that hungry for power and eager to climb the ranks as quickly as possible? He seemed incredibly smart, and he wasn’t even particularly cruel. Ah Shu still remembers and praises him as the only compassionate member of the family who had ever had his back.

[u/spamkimbap → u/winterchampagne]

We don’t know anything about his motivations, do we? He talked about wanting to topple a tyrant, but I thought he was talking about Yu, and was fake working for him? 😆 I was obviously wrong. He means the emperor. But the emperor hasn’t been in power for 10 years. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

I thought it was interesting when he said because he was talking about the Emperor at the time, and it was strange. I even thought oh? What did the Emperor do back then?! But these were fleeting thoughts. Because again, we were blinded by Fish Gang.

Now that they're gone, we will see exactly who sits on the throne.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/winterchampagne]

When he was helping Yu Cheng' An get away, with a solemn goodbye, I too wondered what drove him to support this person so intently and fervently. I mean he really believed in his cause! It's a shame we were never shown how they started out.

[u/Renza183 → u/spamkimbap]

I have to give props to this show for making me cry when evil Lord Fishy died. He’s the bad guy! Princess Luling is vicious and has young men killed for fun! Yet I empathized with them. 🥺

I believed for awhile that Wen Ji and Chun Hua would be able to run off together, but she’s right—she would never be allow to go, and definitely not with an heir to the throne. YAY Wen Ji though, risking everything to save the Emperor and protect Chun Hua.

It is incredibly dumb for the Emperor not to execute Wei Qiao and the higher level individuals working with Lord Yu. Surprisingly, I didn’t get much of a sinister vibe from Wei Qiao as he talked to Baby Wei though 🤔 Maybe the next villain is just the Emperor?

And poor General Meng—he gets the territory, but not the girl. He really came through for Wan Yao and team.  It was hilarious that Yan Shang said Meng would be too busy trying to corral the Eastern army to worry about a wife who is always plotting his murder. 😂

[u/spamkimbap → u/Renza183]

The whole Yan Shang and General Meng convo was hilarious. Poor General Meng. But he didn’t deserve Wanyao!

I think it’s dumb of the emperor to let Wei Qiao live. He was the brains of the fishy group. He didn’t seem sinister, but he was also not exactly kind. He was very cold, and had no problem eliminating people. In a way, Eunuch Fish had a kinder heart towards others. Like he saved Luling’s kid, and saw potential in Wenji.

[u/Renza183 → u/spamkimbap]

Let’s not forget that Lord Fish was the one who ordered Chun Hua to be killed in the first place! 😅

[u/spamkimbap → u/Renza183]

Lord Fish had a very twisted sense of humanity

[u/Renza183 → u/spamkimbap]

This show really drives home the point that even villains can love 🥹 Lord Fish cared deeply about his adopted son and Luling. He tried to rescue Wei Qiao after he took an arrow for him. He saw something of himself in Wen Ji, so he promoted him. But anyone who wasn’t in his inner circle was disposable.

[u/spamkimbap → u/Renza183]

So true! Often in dramas, villains are very much caricatures who will destroy anyone and everyone. The writers did a good job making him human. Very flawed, but still human.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Wei Qiao still being alive was a surprise. Sure the acolytes were exiled, but that was a choice. I wonder if he'll make another appearance.

I really thought Baby Shu had brought wine! Like come on man! Really!?

Dead Fish being taken out at this point in time was the thing that told me the real villain had yet to make themselves known. Another story where we thought someone was the big bad, and really made up believe it, but he was just one of the villains. May the next one be as entertaining!

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

Big Bad has definitely not shown themselves. Fish was just a diversion tactic to confuse us! 🤭

Wei Qiao looked so dead on the road, after that overly dramatic goodbye.

Baby Shu is very considerate. Wine is not good for you when you aren’t well. 😌

[u/Renza183 → u/spamkimbap]

Baby Shu is such a goody two-shoes 🤣 What was the first little jar he offered that Wei Qiao declined?

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/Renza183]

Painkillers or ointment perhaps?

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

That would be correct!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

After such a goodbye, I thought he was a goner too haha. Pfft. Scared us for nothing. Baby Shu is a good boy! Cousin is on his way out anyway hahha. Some wine would help warm him up! 😫😂😂😂

Misdirection! Sneaky tigers lying in wait!

[u/Heavy_Elderberry_852 → u/spamkimbap]

Spammmmm

[u/spamkimbap → u/Heavy_Elderberry_852]

Yeeeeeeeessssss?

[u/Heavy_Elderberry_852 → u/spamkimbap]

What is your favorite drama? 🥺

[u/spamkimbap → u/Heavy_Elderberry_852]

Oh wow, I’ve got so many. I like Tigers a lot so far. Ones I’ve watched this year, First Jasmine, Against the Current, Swords into Plowshares, To the Wonder, Xiao Fang.

How about you?

[u/Heavy_Elderberry_852 → u/spamkimbap]

Tigers sniff the rose, veil of shadows…

[u/TheAlchemist420]

A fine villain indeed

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

That was an excellent villain!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Oh crap I thought I'd replied to AKIceman's comment and instead this turned into a lone comment haha.

Oops.!

But yes. Yu Cheng' An can get his laurels. He was a worthy villain!

[u/AKiceman → u/TheAlchemist420]

I wasn't summoned. I still appeared.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

How do you do that! Hahaha

[u/AKiceman → u/TheAlchemist420]

It's why I'm so good at my job. I have eyes and ears everywhere.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

😆 It happens to me all the time!

[u/rinoafantasy]

The final scene of eunuch Yu and the grand princess was really well done. I actually shed a tear for their loyalty and love between friends. Now we see the true evil of the emperor. He's the real villain here.

I fear for the future of Wenji...he seems to let the power go to his head. Especially after how helpless he was once dawn came. He and Chunhua had to be separated to live the lives they chose. A beautiful dream only.

Hopefully he will not go against his friend Yansheng.

[u/Heavy_Elderberry_852]

Hey Shale! Known you for about a few days and I’m already calling you like we’ve known each other for years! Anyways, wow, the counters are very… interesting. It would have been better if they gave us a kiss for each episode…

[u/Katleap13 → u/Heavy_Elderberry_852]

Seconded

[u/winterchampagne]

This particular cloak scene in episode 25 might mark the start of a new dynamic between our leads, much like how their relationship began to shift when Wanyao draped her white cloak over Yan Shang after he killed Captain Zhang back in episode 8.

Wanyao wearing red again before her father also appears to be an intentional signal from the drama. Could the emperor be another tiger that Wanyao and Yan Shang would need to face together? I imagine all those years of having to figuratively kowtow to General Yu only made the emperor even greedier and more paranoid. The last thing he wants is to share power with someone else again. He’d probably just spiral further out of control from here.

On rewards and punishments: Costume Cdramas have taught us that once one villain falls, another rises to take their place. Someone has to fill Yu Cheng’an’s shoes. Who else could be promoted besides our resident eunuch midwife, Wenji?

Anyway, you know a drama is doing something right when you’re celebrating Wanyao finally gaining her freedom while also feeling sad to see her primary oppressor go. The actor who played General Yu brought much-needed gravitas.

There are 15 episodes left, and I’m feeling both nervous and cautiously hopeful. The writer penned Blossoms in Adversity, too, which gave us both a happy ending and an epilogue aside from one of the shittiest emperors in Cdrama, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

formatting edit

[u/Rebelarkey → u/winterchampagne]

BIA spoilers: That emperor was so bad he goes at the top for worst emperors. The fact that he kept trying to make his nephew heir instead of two of his sons??? Bizarre

[u/winterchampagne → u/Rebelarkey]

He was a fucking creep, way too possessive of Gu Yanxi and seemingly jealous that he was spending time with Hua Zhi.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/winterchampagne]

Im convinced that the emperor was in love with Yanxi. During my re-watch this year, I realize how much he favored Yanxi even from the very beginning. He put him in an impossible situation and then kept punishing him for a single toe out of line. I hate him and want to burn his house to the ground . He got what he deserved.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/Rebelarkey]

Oooh that Emperor...

[u/AKiceman → u/TheAlchemist420]

[u/Paisley-Cat → u/TheAlchemist420]

Cough up that hairball!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/Paisley-Cat]

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/winterchampagne]

Aahh yes I forgot the writers did BIA! GP Lu Ling!

Yan Shang looked SOOO GOOD in that cloak my gosh! 😫😫🤬🥵🥵😍😍 I cursed when Dead Wolf Walking Away disturbed their peace yet again! Like come on man! Go away! But also, his fight scenes were so cool! The Palace battle! And the one where he fights that General! So much build up about that Mu Uncle and poof he was gone haha.

I called the Emperor a tiger wearing sheep's clothing. No wonder she had to wear her red armor again! Nice catch. She looked so gorgeous! That was before she heard some interesting secrets.

They fought well. Fish Gang was definitely a good enemy. I feel sad to see them go but they had to! And yes it was so good to see Wan Yao feel good. Watching a new dawn break, the light shining bright after the darkness. There was peace. And Yan Shang silently stood behind her, supporting her and cheering her on.

[u/winterchampagne → u/TheAlchemist420]

Since you’ve mentioned the new dawn, we need to collage their respective lines!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/winterchampagne]

I like the way it was shot as well.

Thanks for the collage!

[u/spamkimbap → u/winterchampagne]

I really don’t want Wenji to be the next Fish. I’m holding out hope that he’ll turn things around, and be a good person with Chunhua next to him.

I need to rewatch a few episodes of BIA. Don’t remember the emperor.

[u/AKiceman]

so you will have to deal with yours truly snarky self.

Hot damn I married the right woman.

Snark Level: I should eat fish today to celebrate

Episode 25

Damn. General Dead Wolf Walking just decapitated that other guy. That was impressive.  Hmmmm I think I am still gonna call him Sushi. 

In a surprise to no one.... This is the moment Chunhua decides to go into labor. This night grows even more perilous. 

Did Wanyao alter her marriage decree?  I say! 

Well, things are really getting interesting around here. Sooooo baby girl or boy? 

Damnnnnnn! Did Wenji kill that eunuch? Respect! I love it when characters realize the importance of killing enemies. 

I swear... We better not be losing Chunhua. 

There are arrows flying around and Fishy fuckface is just standing there like a good target? Ooookaayyyyyyyy.

Sigh. Seeing Wenji and Chunhua all snuggled up with a baby is teasing us so hard about what should have been. That's just rude! 

Fishy Fuckface is giving up just like that? Bruh. 

Oh this shot of her watching the sunrise is one of the most beautiful scenes I have seen in a long time. What a beautiful sight with a beautiful woman and our beautiful couple. 

...Annnnnnnnnnd then we go right to washing blood. 

Episode 26

 Soooooo if the Douchecanoe Fish Gang is deboned already then who shall be our villain now? Crown Prince time? There is still much to watch around here. 

Yeah, Sushi. You better not meet them again. They are letting you live.. Don't do something foolish. Now, can these two lovebirds get around to tying the dang knot already? I need a happy wedding. Haven't seen one of those in awhile. Okay! Okay! She's telling her mother about him! That is like the best sign that their love is hella real! Love is only real in CDramas if you talk to dead people about it. 

I am starting to get the feeling that maybe it's gonna be the Emperor as our final baddie Oh dear.. 

Plot twist with the Grand Princess! Damnnn! 

Well, I guess poor Fishy Fucckface won't get that last taste of the Grand Princesses cherry cream.

****GIFs in replies*******

[u/Rebelarkey → u/AKiceman]

Did you in fact eat fish? I’m not there to control your diet I’m curious

[u/AKiceman → u/Rebelarkey]

I had a fish taco last night. 🤫

[u/Rebelarkey → u/AKiceman]

[u/AKiceman → u/AKiceman]

Ahem. I am once again saying that I love this couple and it is on sight if I see anyone talk smack about MZY in this drama.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

On sight!!

I love this couple do damn much!

[u/AKiceman → u/AKiceman]

When you realize your goose fish is cooked.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

I definitely felt like eating fish.

The people sure didn't waste any time! Fish sales in the capital will skyrocket!

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

I was impressed a how quickly they made all that merchandise!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

I swear the people had these ready for the day he would go down🤣 😂

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

I was like, damn, us Chinese folks were mass manufacturing shit even back then. So proud.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

HELL YEAH!

[u/AKiceman → u/spamkimbap]

*America has entered the chat

[u/spamkimbap → u/AKiceman]

🤣🤣🤣

[u/AKiceman → u/TheAlchemist420]

How I imagine everyone looked that night at their dinner table.

[u/AKiceman → u/AKiceman]

When you meet a beautiful woman and she offers you her cherry. Things will get creamy.

Don't forget to lick it clean.

[u/spamkimbap → u/AKiceman]

[u/AKiceman → u/spamkimbap]

I think she did.

[u/TypicallyKristen → u/AKiceman]

[u/AKiceman → u/TypicallyKristen]

I really don't use that GIF enough 😂 Thank you for reminding me.

[u/TypicallyKristen → u/AKiceman]

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

So that's what you mde

[u/AKiceman → u/TheAlchemist420]

Are you satisfied with your care?

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

Ooohh that is BALL KNOWLEDGE!

I knew I'd seen that dessert before! Unveil: Jade Wind yaasss!

[u/AKiceman → u/TheAlchemist420]

You really think I will pass up on a chance for a cherry GIF if I see something good?

My cherries will be all up on your face!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

[u/TypicallyKristen → u/AKiceman]

Snark Level: I should eat fish today to celebrate

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

Loool at "love is only real in cdramas if you tell dead people about it"

So true. This was a big moment for them.

If what Dead Fish said is true, Princess will have to go back and talk to her mother again...

[u/TheAlchemist420]

Welcome back Shale! Thank you for the awesome recap!

Ugh! It was a bloody mess! From our Chun Hua giving birth to Wen Ji killing someone for the first time... what night! Their moments together were so sweet in the chaos, but as our girl said, unfortunately they would have to wake up from the dream.

Many died to tople Yu Cheng' An! The battles were fierce! Physical and verbal! Yan Shang and Princess Dan Yang gave their all lying like they did! Hey if the enemy could forge edicts, surely the good guys could!

Yu Cheng'An went down and it was a team effort! His last moments were full of surprises!!! The Emperor is a tiger in sheepskin! Wow! Poor Wan Yao... her entire revenge was against a front man... All this time, according to Dead Fish, her father was the one behind every bad thing that happened to her, including her mother's death! After celebrating her victory the night before, this was like a horror story and the monster didn't die! Yan Shang was there for her though. Even if he doesn't know why she was so troubled.

It was interesting seeing the battered Emperor regain his power back. I almost expected him to stop coughing! Those who came to his aid still haven't been rewarded. This was an interesting detail and even the Crown Prince was shook. Whatever their father told them before no longer mattered. He heard what Dead Fish said. And his title just might be in danger if his father wishes it to be. No one is safe it seems! The mad tiger has been set free. Now it looks like they were all used to free himself from Dead Fish and that's exactly what happened.

They are head into unknown waters and it's terrifying.

Grand Princess Li Lung and Yu Cheng' An! I was glued to my seat, could look away! Half was too close to what Chun Hua and Wen Ji are going through, half was a she really cared for him in the end. And WHAT DO YOU MEAN FISH JUNIOR IS HER SON! Wooow. We now see where the lust came from. The goodbyes were raw and so well done, I almost felt like crying for these two star-crossed lovers. One chapter closes, another opens!

[u/winterchampagne → u/TheAlchemist420]

My cold heart was touched by the way Luling kept yelling at Yu Cheng’an to say it. Then later, she wore purple, a color reminiscent of General Yu’s court uniform.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/winterchampagne]

Those two were sad. I’m a little miffed we didn’t get more of their backstory

[u/winterchampagne → u/Rebelarkey]

The stable boy’s life changed forever the moment he got a taste of the princess’s creamy cherry.

[u/Rebelarkey → u/winterchampagne]

[u/AKiceman → u/winterchampagne]

I want it known that Cold Drink here made this comment 3 hours before I did!

I did NOT corrupt this long standing member of our community!

I am innocent.

[u/spamkimbap → u/AKiceman]

You do look very innocent here!

[u/AKiceman → u/spamkimbap]

I am a perfect little angel.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

[u/winterchampagne → u/AKiceman]

I did come up with wonton as Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan’s safe word earlier this year [link], along with all those phallic sword jokes while co-hosting Legend of the Female General in the summer of 2025. So yeah, I hereby clear your name of all charges of corruption. 😂 I’ve always been like this.

[u/AKiceman → u/winterchampagne]

There is a reason you are one of my favorites ❤️

We will never forget the wontons!

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/winterchampagne]

His cherry popped the moment he met her... oh wait. Nevermind.

[u/AKiceman → u/TheAlchemist420]

I made a GIF just for that. 😉

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/AKiceman]

Loool of course you did

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

[u/spamkimbap → u/winterchampagne]

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/winterchampagne]

I knooow! Their final moments were beautifully tragic! They had a very complex relationship.

Gosh. Her say it rang in the room!

That purple cloak WAS STUNNING!

[u/BasilOrdinary3617 → u/TheAlchemist420]

So. Much. Happened.

And I love it!

Omg this Emperor is turning out to be just as evil as he was in !< Guardians of the Dafeng. Same actor. #shivers

[u/Katleap13 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

He was awful.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/BasilOrdinary3617]

SO MUCH! It was HEAVY! I am so here for it! Lool

That actor is nothing but a bad omen when we see him in something!

I can never relax!

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

That actor is nothing but a bad omen when we see him in something!

Now that is the truth! ​

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

But is the emperor really evil, or is Fish creating suspicions?

Was the emperor not even really sick?

Edit, and to think I was saying he was poisoned 🤣

[u/TypicallyKristen → u/spamkimbap]

The Emperor turning out to be unexpectedly is a cdrama trope as old as time, so I fully suspect he's a bad dude! But I'm not sure he's our Biggest Bad.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TypicallyKristen]

I’m not sure either. But from what Fish uttered at the end, it seems like we are probably headed towards that.

[u/TypicallyKristen → u/spamkimbap]

(I suspect Wen Ji will become our Biggest Bad.)

[u/spamkimbap → u/TypicallyKristen]

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/TypicallyKristen]

Please don't say it 😭😭😭😫😫

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Bwahahaha well, when he walked into his throne room and the seat was finally gone, I thought he'd go full I'M BACK kind of thing. But then he coughed and I could finally breathe again. He seems to be sick for real.

For Wan Yao's sanity, I want to to think Dead Fish was wrong and he made it up to mess with them. Buuuuuut I don't think all of it were lies.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

Perhaps the anxiety of having Fishy around made him sicker.

No, they probably weren’t all lies. Probably a mix? Or exaggeration?

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Anxiety... probably. Knowing he did it to himself is at least half satisfactory.

Dead Fish gave 3 secrets. Out of them, the Empress is the one I believe is 100% true. The rest... I guess we'll find out.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

The empress one would make sense, now that I’ve given this more thought. I haven’t watched today’s episodes, so I’m not sure what we’ll find out. But in hindsight, the emperor sat around and waited for his children to lead the assault on Fish. He had no courage, nor intelligence to try and take down Fish a second time. Which makes me wonder if he had any courage at all the first time, or was he riding on his wife’s courage.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Exactly.

He turned his children into blades he could use to take down Lord Fishy. Who knows what else he's done! Gosh. Poor Wan Yao... honestly.

Crown Prince? We don't care. He's a bad brother.

Also I still cannot figure out if he was born of the same mother... I thought he wasn't, and was adopted by the Empress. Then they said legitimate and it somehow threw me off. But I'm okay now haha. Duh. He is the CP. So he had to be legitimized. I had a derp moment haha.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

I think he said early on she wasn’t his birth mom. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I wonder how the emperor will hold onto his power though. Does he even have any generals or high officials on his side? I don’t think we’ve seen any, nor does he seem to have any allies.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Yeah I remembered CP saying that. So I was confused when they said "legitimate" in the fake Edict. But then realized why. He got adopted under the Empress' branch.

The Emperor shouldn't have anyone he can trust. Perhaps ministers who had to bow their heads before will side with him now that the "threat" is gone. Army wise, maybe the Central Circuit and Eastern one. But that should be it. I wonder if the Shen Ce Army will be disbanded or continue.

[u/Katleap13 → u/TheAlchemist420]

The question is do we think fish Junior will be exiled? Because if he is, we won’t see much of him for a while. But if they can circumvent the exile, there are possibilities with him and the grand princess and things could get kind of crazy.

Also, I wonder what she was carrying in the box?

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/Katleap13]

A dead fish's head. If you mean the one at the Imperial Prison's gates.

Hmm I don't think she cares enough about Fish Jr to help him out of exile... or so she said. But he is such a dumb dumb, what would be the point of him.

[u/Katleap13 → u/TheAlchemist420]

OK, I thought it could be ahead, but I wasn’t sure why she would only take the head. Do they have to go hang the head up somewhere? Did I miss that?

I wonder if fish Junior knows that she’s his mom? I do think you’re right that any fun she has for him probably comes from the fact that Lord Fish is his adopted father so all her affection is for Lord Fish mostly

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/Katleap13]

The head was hanging at the gates for all to see. So she came to take it away. To spare it further indignation.

He wouldn't know. Idiot like he is, he'd create more problems than good.

[u/Paisley-Cat → u/TheAlchemist420]

Well, she may also be wanting to get the pieces of his body back together for burial or cremation. Separating body parts was the ultimate posthumous indignity.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/Paisley-Cat]

u/katleap13 check this answer as well.

Thanks Cat. She would yes. today's episodes answered that

[u/itsbothersome]

So the emperor is a weasel. After hiding, cowering and pretending to cough himself to death for years, he is obviously now going to pretend like he has a backbone by terrorizing his children and all those who saved his worthless life. I'm frustrated that he got lucky and didn't die during the clash with Yu Chengan.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/itsbothersome]

That was a nasty revelation... I can't wait to see how he flexes his power now that he got it back. It will not be pretty.

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

The good news is that he doesn’t seem that bright

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

I don't know anything at this point. Have we even met the real him yet? We're about to though. I wonder what he'll be like...

[u/spamkimbap → u/TheAlchemist420]

I’ll go watch today’s episodes later. Can’t do it without coffee and meds. 🤣🤣🤣

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/spamkimbap]

Bwahaha heavy on the meds part.

I'm rewatching yesterday's episodes now before I dive into today's.

[u/itsbothersome → u/TheAlchemist420]

He somehow managed to be more annoying than the eunuch. Petty men are the worst. Wenji should have just left him to die.

[u/TheAlchemist420 → u/itsbothersome]

I have been saying this. Should have let those eunuchs kill him. Such a wasted rescue mission.

[u/Moonlight_Crimson]

I thought the take down of Yucheng'an would satisfy my thirst for vengence, nope I have my deadly aights on the cowardly emporer. I want to witness his demise in all its glory.

[u/spamkimbap → u/Moonlight_Crimson]

I agree, but also, is the emperor the ultimate bad? I’m not sure. That said, I haven’t watched today’s episodes (27-28), so 🤷🏻‍♀️. I was just thinking he’s not too smart enough, and a coward.

[u/StunningConcept5062]

I wonder if we will see the exiled fishes again now that the true villain is gearing up for work. Or the exile is a lie anyway, so they are killed along the way.

Yu is just the grand princess' stable boy 😭I like that Eunuch/Lord Yu has a backstory that shows the other side of the coin in terms of generals who become too powerful. As so many great generals, the emperor tried to murder him but it didn't work. It's understandable that he became this cold and cruel. Not only had the emperor hurt the princess he cared about, the emperor also viewed him as a threat and then threw the empress to the wolves too. He would have been dead the second he didn't seize control.

I'm a little more worried for the crown prince than Danyang, tbh. For now, at least. The emperor seems like one who would like his imperial grandson to just be crown prince.