To sleep, perchance to dream

Resharing this because it was iconic.

One thing about toxic masculinity is that it doesn't discriminate between so-called 'nice guys' and psycho princes.

Say less, bro.

I can't believe I am saying this but the sidelining/defanging of Xie Zheng as the ML in this story is irksome.

How I felt by this point of the episode tbh.

Pretty home.

Put him in a bonkers mini-drama stat.

Why did the actress play this woman as a little scared alot titillated?

Mans has chemistry for days.

Very good question.

Dreaming of Fan Changyu. Also, me contemplating what our most creative fanfic writers would do with the pairing.

Anhoodle, back to the show.

Rebel Lady is stalking him. She did mutter to herself back when she kidnapped Fan Changning that she meant to kill him.

For plot reasons both these women let him live.

This was legit hilarious to me.

Final thoughts

So all in all the last few episodes of this show made it almost unrecognizable to me from the Ling'an days. I would like to think the Director (who I used to trust), was given carte blanche for those episodes and the studio/producers/etc interfered with the rest of the story. With 40 episodes the show has enough time to have fleshed out these other parts, better.

By my count we are 3/4 in and we have barely touched upon Xie Zheng's revenge arc, the mysteries around Fan Changyu's parents, trained her in military strategy or any of the markers of a general OR even Xie Zheng's military brilliance. We have been told about it but barely seen it, instead he has an insubordination and military indiscipline problem for romantic plot reasons, but we have barely seen any romance and nary a steamy kiss between the leads yet.

I combined these two because, why not?

This woman's face card never declines and she brings something very unique to every shot she is in.

How romantic... and terrifying.

HOT.

Euphemism? Also the first time we see the sun shining brightly, and burning away that morning fog in a number of episodes.

Our Merry Band of Ling'an Local Heroes.

Rescue and reunification!

I missed their dynamic.

Very imposing, General.

For half-baked plot reasons this happens... I say this because the Siu Not Heir escapes... well actually just leaves once QianQian threatens to take her own life. And I thought, finally she will get the true story of her origins and who her Dad really was.

She really is.

As a veteran Kdrama watcher I thought Xie Zheng was gonna pop up after Fan Changyu got a makeover at the General's house.

But alas, we get a sparring montage and a promise to tell her the truth after the war is won.

Which anyone who has ever watched anything in the history of television knows, means he's not gonna make it out of the war.

Yes girl, follow that train of thought.

Just pretty.

Brilliant.

Love that she is still in her usual garb. Regardless of the fancy surroundings.

The way she just confirmed what he needed so straightforwardly, refreshing. I actually think he would be better suited with her than the Princess. No shade to the Princess.

This episode has the most glaring missed opportunity so far. They could have had her train for months, even years. But the decision to speed-run her into being a competent military general ruins this arc for me.

Born to serve face, forced to go to war.

Yeah, yeah, we get it, you're not surviving this.

I legit didn't recognize her without the bayaaaangs. First reaction was, now who is this!??

Even in the absurdity of this plot, I love that they now understand each other without saying a word.

Okay, I guess.

Well played show, just when I thought Mandi would make it.

Poignant, if a bit random.

Yes you are. But not for the reasons you think.

Steamy metalworks montage with a great soundtrack. I will allow it.

My other BABYYYYY. So smart.

That's the spirit. Love how it was him correcting his protector on attitude.

Ugh the set design and these piece are just exquisite.

My intrepid baby Changning helped herself to some brekkie and sussed out it was her beloved brother-in-law who made it. The kids on this show are just precious.

The exchange between Changning and the Grand Tutor was adorbs, too.

It's an idol drama.

I am gonna save this to use in real life.

Asking the pertinent questions.

She sure does when the script allows it.

The Godfather/Goddaughter moment made me tear up. I thought it was very sweet and also very in character for her.

Loved the haziness of this and the fear.

I appreciate that even though she is a butcher, it is not the same thing to her.

As a big fanfic reader, and sometimes writer, I could see a F/F fic being born from this hug.

Her leaving to find QianQian and also to go back to Ling'an made sense for the character to me. Her team also leaving with her, should constitute desertion. Driving home once again, how little discipline there is in Xie Zheng's military camp. It's not his fault, he's supposed to be a brilliant hardcore military general but for script reasons, here we are.

He follows her and tries to get her back.

Spoke in the third person for starters, hid his identity and deployed an elaborate scheme, too.

Easy for you to say when you are on top of the pyramid.

I am caught up to episode 30 so I sincerely hope there is more payoff about these class differences between them before the show wraps. It's great television if done right!

Oh, her.

Bold to show that he had kinda forgotten about her. I appreciate the directing and acting choice here.

I get what she's saying but also, really girl? Didn't you say you would be cool with him getting promoted to Marquis someday when he was still Yan Zheng?

Fair enough.

Okay, so back when he left Ling'an he really just left her defenseless after all. Stop telling us he is a brilliant strategist and general show AND show usssss!!!

Meanwhile, in the Sui Madhouse

Daddy got that drip, too.

RUDE. I love the two sons contrasting. Silver hair, black robes. Black hair, silver robes.

I am sure it was intentional to make him look like he is gliding across the floor like the demon he is. @romchat would know more about what this type of shot is called. It's beautiful and atmospheric.

Finally our other baby has been rescued. Calling him Uncle Yan made me so emotional.

Gongsun Yin being the de facto nanny for both our kiddos melts my heart. What a softie.

I loved the shot of her back, showing real bruises after she fought that other dude.

I really enjoyed the cinematography of this show.

Solid point about war here Xie Zheng, pity she can't hear it through all your other LIES.

Shoutout to Tian Xiwei for working with what little the script gave her to convey true hurt.

Like Bro, whutttt? Not this manipulative and insecure BS again.

Pretty

I was like, "Girl please do not fold like a cheap table!"

I was very glad she took the horse and left his ass there.

Lol. He remains brighter light than Xie Zheng whenever it's the two of them in a room.

Gorgeous visuals. Mentor and Mentee.

This was another part of the story that fell a little flat for me. I think its because the story has been overtaken by so many other things we have moved away from Xie Zheng's past, his revenge quest, the people that shaped him... even the flood plot and what went right and wrong - should have been discussed here. But it wasn't.

Sick burn.

Sir... now come on.

Do you though?

Am I crazy or are they completely lacking in heat in this scene? Also, even if Yan Zheng doesn't exist, they have an opportunity to build something more honest now. But even I as an audience member, am failing to see why they would even try. This is what did not work for me in this episode and this arc.

On Reddit, someone shared that the Mandarin version of his proposal is very profound and heartfelt. I am still glad she turned him down, here. The point of repair when damage is done in a relationship (romantic/platonic/familial) is there must be some accountability. Forgiveness must be earned.

Pretty.

Okay, here for the pretty.

I thought the bonding by sparring was cute.

Awww.

NGL that fish looked yummy.

Siiigh. That is literally part of the deal when dealing with royalty. Is he being naive or is it because he is a man and doesn't truly understand how different it will be for her as a woman, marrying into a wealthy influential family?

Damn right.

A tableau.

Peep how defeated Xie Zheng is by all the shenanigans.

Farce.

I do not disagree. Even if in this instance, this is not what the takeaway should have been.

Right?

This scene was sweet, and stayed true to who she has been all along.

I found this part of their interaction very condescending/paternalistic?

This idea that she learned her lesson from that farcical exchange.

As she mends his chain mail.

Just...no.

This is an interesting look into her personality. It's not just Xie Zheng she has has an over-developed sense of responsibility aka Messiah Complex

Consistent, lol.

One of the few times she is not directly lit, the light is behind her not coming from her.

I said, ah shit, he ain't gonna make it.

All arrows and fans pointing sideways.

Finally, a hug. This show is such an imbalance of very chaste to dark and twisty. Not a fan of the good guys do chaste, pure stuff. The bad guys do whatever their urges tell them to, tbh.

Meanwhile... sigh.

LOOOL.

Very pertinent question.

Realities of war.

Interesting.

Music video shot.

Marvel-verse shot.

Her beating this guy wasn't a quibble for me, nor the way it happened... she drugged the commander so the place was chaotic, makes sense she would have seen more action, had more opportunity than normal.

I even liked her being shook about what she did.

But the impact of this was all going to hinge on what happened next, and quite frankly it was a letdown.

Guess who.

Reminder, this is an idol drama so of course her headscarf had to come off. I will hand it to Zhang Linghe he was serving side-eye here.

Yep.