Chinese Drama 2024

The Double (Chinese Drama Review & Summary)

 

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• Genre: Historical Costume Drama Fiction, Romance
• Release Date: 2 June 2024
• Origin: China
• Cdrama: 40 Episodes

Cast

• Wu Jin Yan as Xue Fang Fei/ Jiang Li
  • Yang Chao Yue as Jiang Li
• Wang Xing Yue as Xiao Heng
• Chen Xin Hai as Ye Shi Jie
• Liang Yong Qi as Shen Yu Rong
• Vivien Li as Princess Wan Ning
• Chen Chiao En as Ji Shu Ran
• Su Ke as Jiang Yuan Bai
• Liu Xie Ning as Jiang Ruo Yao
• Zhang Yu Qi as Wu Lan
• He Hong Shan as Ye Jia Er
• Li Xin Ze as Li Lian
• Gala Zhang as Xue Zhao
• Dong Xuan as Ye Zhen Zhen
• Snow Kong as Zhi Yan
• Ai Mi as Tong Er
• Chen Yu Xian as Jiang Yu’e
• Zhao Qing as Si Tu Jiu Yue (Princess of Zhao)
• Kent Tong as Xue Huai Yuan
• Zhao Jia Min as Liu Xu
• Yu Rong Guang as Old General Xiao
• He Feng Tian as Jiang Jing Rui
• Liu Ya Peng as Zhang Wei
• Zhang Meng as Dai Yun
• Pan You Cheng as Wen Ji
• Wang Le Fu as Lu Ji
• Ji Ling Chen as Xiao Ming Han
• Hai Ling as Yu Hong Ye
• Ning Xiao Hua as Mr. Zhang
• Zhang Zheng Yang as Li Zhong Nan
• Zhang Bai Qiao as Feng Yu Tang
• Leanne Liu as Mrs. Jiang
• Wu Jia Yi as Qiong Zhi
• Dong Chun Hi as Ye Ming Yu [Jiang Li’s uncle]
• Zheng Xiao Dong as Liu Wencai (Imperial Diviner)

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Snippets

• 4 June 2024: The drama exceeded 10,000 mark.  It has become the fastest drama to break 10000 in Youku this 2024 so far.
• Spoiler alert: Apparently, loyal Tong Er gets killed because the young actress Ai Mi had to go back to school.😅😭 @Episode 28.😭😭😭
• Due to the tax scandal regarding Jiang Yi Yi, who was originally to play the super-doctor, Situ Jiu Yue, she was replaced by Zhao Qing. Some of their scenes involved superimposing Zhao Qing’s face to the already filmed scenes by Jiang Yi YI through AI tech.  But some eagled-eye viewers still noticed silhouette of Jiang Yi YI.
• 27 June 2024: The Double will be availabe on Netflix by 29 June 2024

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Episode 1

Whoa, the first episode is brutal.   The female lead being buried alive.

Anyway, Xue Fang Fei was known as the most learned woman in the Capital.  She married a lowly scholar who managed to rise in status.  But Shen Yu Rong’s ambition knows no bounds especially when he caught the attention of the psycho eldest princess. Wan Ning.

The princess wanted to marry him but as he was already had a first legal wife, she told him to get rid of Xue Fang Fei.  The Princess ordered the willing mother and sister of Yu Rong to get rid of Xue Fang Fei.  So the mother and daughter got to work, they drugged Xue Fang Fei and put her in a compromising situation with another man.  The mother and daughter then pretended to have caught Xue Fang Fei’sadulterous behaviour with the man.

Shen Yu Rong pretended to be cuckaholded by Feng Fei so he took her into the forest.  He did admit that he knew that she was set up and told her that he was not at fault, he was made to do it.  Anyway, he said that she will be meeting her father and brother soon in the netherworld as he started burying her.

Feng Fei was shocked to learn that her father and brother had died.

I must say, Shen Yu Rong did not do a good job because Xue Fang Fei later on managed to dig herself out of the grave and ended near a river when Jiang Li and her maid, Tong Er, found her.

They saw her collapsed by the bank of the river in her fantastic Teflon dress which was as immaculate as ever, no sign of being soiled from being buried and then  dragging herself to the river. LOL

Anyway,  Jiang Li with Tong Er, after ministering to her promised to visit her the next day to bring her provisions.

Unfortunately, it did not happen because Jiang Li was caught trying to sneak out  of Zhennv Hall in the middle of the night to see Fang Fei.

She was accused by the women headed by Mistress of Zhennv Hall of indecency and impropriety of meeting a lover.  She was fatally beaten up.

Meanwhile, Fang Fei managed to sneak in to Zhennv Hall when the women were foraging in the forest.  She saw poor Jiang Li in bed obviously suffering a great deal

Fang Fei learned that Jiang Li had been confined to Zhennv Hall for ten years. Her father was the Prime Minister who had not looked on Jiang Li even in the years she was sent to Zhennv Hall.

Jiang Li was banished after being accused of killing her unborn half-sibling when her stepmother, Ji Shu Ran, fell from the stairs when young Jiang Li who adored her tried to talk to her.

Jiang Li said that she hated her father and her stepmother now but realised she was soon to die.  She gave Fang Fei her hairpin which will prove her identity as she wanted Fang Fei to contact the Prime Minister and explain that she had not cause the death of her sibling.

Jiang Li passed away under a blossoming pear tree.

Later on, the Mistress found her dead in bed.

Episode 2

The Mistress also found Fang Fei in the room; Fang Fei blackmailed the Mistress to let her be the new Jiang Li.  Otherwise, she would tell everyone that the Mistress killed Jiang Li as evidenced by her many bruises, both old and new.

The Mistress agreed to Fang Fei’s condition.

It so happened that Mrs Liu who coincidentally the best friend of Jiang Li’s late mother was visiting Zhennv Hall. Tong Er told Fang Fei that Mrs Liu would recognise the hairpin as she gave it herself to Jiang Li’s mother.

Fang Fei and Tong Er plotted to get to Mrs Liu.  They also plotted to get the Mistress who they found out was using a raised lamp to signal to potential lover boys that she was up for hanky-panky

Fang Fei secret raised the lamp that day when Mrs Liu was visiting.

But their plotting happened to meet a snag when the ferocious Duke, Xiao Heng, turned up at Zhennv Hall after getting intel that their suspect on the salt contraband was hiding at the hall.

They found the man at the temple who took Fang Fei as hostage.

Fang Fei said that she was Jiang Li, the Prime Minister’s daughter and she was in cahoot with the guy.  She was so desperate to be arrested and taken back to the Capital, she was making out that she was not innocent.

What she did not know was that Xiao Heng had been intrigued with her since he saw her at a market place and she was definitely not Jiang Li.

Anyway, Mrs Liu did found out that the Mistress of Zhennv was up to no good and had her husband who is an official of the court to report what was happening at Zhennv Hall and that the Prime Minister’s daughter was confined there.

The Prime Minister was given no choice but to take back Jiang Li (they did not know how she looked like as it has been ten years) and acknowledged her officially.

Episode 3

Fang Fei and Tong Er agreed to stay together and protect each other through thick and thin and bring those who hurt Jiang Li to justice beginning with her own family.

Ji Shu Ran was already plotting how to bring down Jiang Li.

It became apparent how her life as Jiang Li was going to be at the mansion.  They appeared welcoming in the surface but Ji Shu Ran rules the roost with her fake gentle smile.

The villa Jiang Li was given was derelict and needed great attention.  Ji Shu Ran then sent a couple of maidservant to spy on Jiang Li.  The maids were so lazy, they were a hindrance rather than a help.

But Jiang Li told Tong Er that they just had to bide their time because if she acted arrogantly, the Jiangs  would lose the 10-year of guilt they were feeling for  sending away a little girl to Zhennv Hall.

Jiang Li learned that there is a coming of age party for the Third Miss of the family and Jiang Li was not invited.

Episode 4

What shocked her was that Shen Yu Rong was the first one to visit the Jiang mansion and he was invited to the Third Miss Coming of Age party as well.

The Prime Minister realised the suffering Jiang Li went through at Zhennv Hall.

The two maids were hilarious.  Jiang Li was very machiavellian.  She divided the two girls to conquer them. She bribed one of the girls to do her bidding.

Episode 5

It was the day of the coming out party. The elite in the town came to the celebration, including Duke Su who was intrigue with what was going on and what was about to happen.

No surprise at all, both Jiang Li and Tong Er where secretly drugged. They woke up very, very late and had hardly time to get ready for the party.  And when Jiang Li was ready to go, she found that guards are stationed on her gate preventing her to leave.

But Jiang Li was determined to attend as she believes that she owes the real Jiang Li a coming of age party of her own.

Her cousin, Jiang Jing Rui, who had become some sort of an ally destracted the guard so Jiang Li could climb out from the wall.

Jiang Li turned up just in time to eclipse Jiang Ruo Yao’s coming of age ceremony.  Everyone was curious about Jiang Li because she was so pretty and elegant contrary to the gossip that she was a lowly peasant from Zhennv Hall.

Mrs Liu was a great help to Jiang Li.  She reminded the Jiang family that Jiang Li had not had a coming of age ceremony herself and ensured that she was given one.

Jiang Li made sure that Ji Shu Ran performs the ritual with her.

In her distress, Jiang Ruo Yao collapsed on the stage.

Episode 6

Jiang Ruo Yao tried to make Jiang Li pay for upstaging her by pretending to be ill from an allergic reaction from a pair of earrings that Jiang Li gifted her for her party.

Ji Shu Ran was gently inciting the Prime Minister to punish Jiang Li’s malice towards Jiang Ruo Yao but then Jiang Li said that she knows how to cure Jiang Ruo Yao’s skin reaction to the earrings. She asked everyone to leave the room.

Jiang Li then told Jiang Ruo Yao to stop pretending. She told Jiang Ruoyao that she has evidence and witness that she had nothing to do with the earrings.  She said that the earrings Ruoyao wore were immitations of what Jiang Li presented to Jiang Ruo Yao. She said that they could contact the jeweler to prove it.  She has also evidence from the two maids.  Jiang Li was willing to escalate the issue and report it to the police which frightened Jiang Ruo Yao.

Jiang Ruo Yao had to assure her parents that she had recovered.

Ji Shu Ran’s had another plan to get rid of Jiang Li.  She convinced the Prime Minister that it was about time that Jiang Li is married off. So Ji Shu Ran arranged a marraige for Jiang LI to the Zhao Family.

Jiang Li though managed to outsmart her potential husband who cancelled the engagement.

Episode 7

Shen Yu Rong was in charge of the Imperial Examination.  Princess Wanning who has control over the Emperor said that women should be allowed to take the examination.

So this inspired Jiang Li to ask her family to allow her to enrol at the School of Integrity.

Ji Shu Ran tried to prevent her enrolling at the school.  She said that perhaps Jiang LI needed to learn proper ettiquette first and stay at home for at least a couple of years.

Jiang Li disagreed and she prevailed as Grandma Jiang backed her up.

Her presence at the school was viewed with suspicion. She was an object of gossip but she was too confident to be upset.

Episode 8

On the first day of school, Jiang Li was already embroiled in confrontation with her classmates.  She helped her cousin Ye Shi Je get out of a plot by the Li Brother to make him join their team.

Episode 9

The aloof Ye Shi Je finally agreed to join Jiang Li’s team which comprises of her, Jiang JIng Rui, Liu Xu (Mrs Liu’s daughter) and Ye Shi Je.

The Lis were really determined to get Ye Shi Je into their team so they incited Jiang Li again.

Li Lian proposed a bet that Jiang Li could not really refused.  He said that if Jiang Li’s team did not pass, Jiang Li had to leave town and return to Zhennv Hall.  Li Lian then said that if Jiang Li’s team passes, he will become a monk.

Despite her team discouraging her to take up the bet, Jiang Li agreed to it.

So her team began to practice. Jiang Li was particularly good at playing the guzheng but found out that he had sprained her wrist badly back when Shen Yu Rong tied her hands up before burying her.

Duke Su found out about her predicament.  He told her to go to his mansion and he will cure her.

Jiang Li was so desperate she did turn up at Duke Su’s mansion a day late which she got punished for.

Situ Jiu Yue, a poison expert and the best doctor around was begged by Duke Su to cure Jiang Li’s hand sprain.

Situ Jiu Yue noticed that Duke Su is especially attentive to Jiang Li.  She warned him off of getting involved with Jiang Li.

I must say Wang Xing Yue looks strikingly handsome in his red hanfu.  He is so fit.

Whoa, thank goodness this drama happened immediately after that excellent Joy of Life 2.

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Episode 15

Jiang Li/Xue Fangfei went to Zihua Brothel in search of Qiong Zhi.  Qiongzhi is Xue Zhou’s girlfriend before he died. Jiang Li said that she was Xue Fangfei’s friend and wanted to find out what really happened to Xue Zhou.

Qiongzhi explained to Jiang Li that Xue Zhou was very kind, very noble and helped her pay her creditors.  But when he did not show up after awhile, the gang who were her creditors forced her into the brothel.  But she mentioned that the last time she saw Xue Zhou he gave her a box with some money and a map which she did not understand.

Jiang Li met Duke Su at the brothel.  At first she thought he was stalking her but the luscious Wu Lan appeared to return Duke Su’s token making it looks like that they had some hanky panky that went on.

It was rather obvious that Jiang Li was a tad jealous.

So later on, Duke Su made sure that Jiang Li understood that Wu Lan was a contact for his own investigation involving the salt contraband.

Jiang Li’s visit to her Ye side of the family really proved to be eventful. Second Uncle was arrested for vending toxic fabric.

This episode is rather week.  The Ye family are overacting.

Episode 16

The issue was actually plotted by the Li Family in retaliation for Ye Shi Je’s turning down to join their side.  Now the Li was determined to breakdown any influence the affluent Ye Family had.

Of course, Jiang Li was there to protect the Ye as she felt that she owes it to the real Jiang Li.

Her cousin, Li Jia’Er made a valid point that it was unthinkable that they would apply toxic to their merchandise.  They would be endangering their business plus the fact that the toxin which has been determined as ultra poisonous come at a hefty price.  There is no reason as all that they would do this.  So they were being set up.

That was so logical but their opponent was the influential Governor Tong who is being paid by the Li.

Jiang Li used the Prime MInister’s name to bid for time while she investigate.  She was of course, assisted by Duke Su who had her under survellance for her protection as he was unconsciously developing feelings for her.

Episode 17

Jiang Li plotted to get rid of the greedy Governor Tong. Second Madam Ye went to Governor Tong and negotiated a price for the release of Second Uncle.  Governor Tong wanted all the Ye money so the Ye fortune was carted to the Governor’s mansion.

Jiang Li asked Duke Su to get the palace guards who were patrolling near Luyang to investigate the corruption of Governor Tong who was trying to steal the money meant for the Emperor.

The guards went to the mansion and caught Governor Tong in the act of prancing about in expensive jewelry.

So the governor was arrested.  Though the money was taken to be given to the Emperor.  The Ye were happy that the governor is gone.

Episode 18

Qiong Zhi sent a message to Jiang Li to come see her.  Jiang Li found Qiong Zhi on her death bed.  She had been abused, used and beaten by Magistrate Feng.

Qiong Zhi said that she had news about Magistrate Xue, Xue Fang Fei’s father.  Qiong Zhi told her that he was not dead.  He was in Huaixiang. Qiong Zhi made Jiang Li promised to get her justice and then Qiong Zhi died.

Jiang Li made a decision to go to Huaixiang immediately.  Jia’Er wanted to go with her but in the end it was Ye Ming Yu who went with her and Tong Er to Huaixiang.

Episode 19

Xue Fang Fei/Jiang Li was shocked to find that her hometown of Huaixiang had changed so much and not for the better.

Magistrate Feng had put fear to the people.  Magistrate Feng treated the newly arrived Jiang Li with suspicion that he had assigned guards to monitor her every move.

Thank goodness Duke Su came to the rescue once again as he happened to be in Huaixiang as well searching for the goldmine mountain.

Jiang Li and Duke Su flirted their way into the goldmine mountain.  Jiang Li said that the goldmine was illegal.  The effect of mining has a catasrophic consequence to the village as it cause earthquakes.  The Emperor then issued an edict to close down the mind for good.

But as it is still being used, it is going against the Emperor.

The Li found out that Duke Su and Jiang Li had located the gold mine.

Episode 20

Duke Su asked Jiang Li how the goldmine could blow over.  There sides are connected to the goldmine: the Xue, Shen Rong and Princess Wan Ning.

Jiang Li made sure to take advantage of the gorgeus Duke Su as she would jump him everytime she has the opportunity.🤣. Jiang Li found a couple of their former servants.  They recognised her she told them that she is Xue Li but has a new identity.  She had come to rescue them.

They got away from the mountain but they were ambushed on their way back to Huaixiang.  It was a hard fight because Li Jin sent a lot of assassins.  But of course, Duke Su and his men prevailed in the end.

They then went to the magistrate to confront Magistrate Feng who was already expecting them.  When they said that he was finished as an official, Magistrate Feng brought out his hostage.

It was the former Magistrate Xue, who had lost his mind.

Magistrate Feng said to load his carriage with gold and he would leave quietly.  Duke Su ordered to comply with Magistrate Feng.  But of course it was only a ploy.

Magistrate Feng was subdued.  Jiang Li was in a vengeful mood so he asked for a dagger and treated Magistrate Feng like a voodoo doll.  She stabbed him everywhere but not on his vital parts so he could still remain alive.  The last stab was for Qiongzhi.  In the end, Magistrate Feng was shot dead by assassins sent by Li Jin.

It was the next day for the final verdict whether Magistrate Xue should be executed.  Despite having an exemplary record behind him, the people were too traumatised and beleaguered to testify for him.

Episode 21

Jiang Li met problem after problem bringing in Magistrate Xue to the Capital for retrial.  Princess Wanning was raging as a the goldmine which was good source of income was close down and it has all to do with Jiang Li.

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Episode 23

Beofoer the trial, the Emperor and Duke Su agreed that Jiang Li is the perfect pawn to clean up all the dirty bureaucrats in the Empire.

The court trial went well and Magistrate Xue was exonerated of all wrong doings.

But then, Princess Wanning turned up.

Episode 24

Princess Wanning announced that Jiang Li is a fake.  Jiang Li is dead. To evidence her pronoucement, she had the ex-Mistress of Zhennv Hall brought in.  The ex-mistress confirmed that Xue Li was not Jiang Li.

Xue Li/Jiang LI cooly as the mistress who killed Jiang Li and where was she buried. How can an intruder in a well guarded girls’ dormitory sneaked in and kill Jiang Li.  She added that the mistress was convinced by someone to spout nonsense.  She then categorically told the mistress that her life was so over because she is just someone else’s pawn and will always be a pawn until she had served her usefulness.

Wanning then asked Shen Yu Rong to say that Xue Li is his wife Jiang Li.  Shen Yu Rong looked at Xue Li and remembered how he wronged her.  So he said that he knows his wife but the woman he was looking at was definitely not Jiang Li.

Wanning was getting out of control in her vindictiveness.  She then to the Prime Minister that his daughter was an imposter.  But the Prime MInister said that he knows his daughter and felt so sorry that he could not protect her more.  He then said to Jiang Li that as the case of Magistrate Xue was over, it was time for them to leave.

Wanning got hold of a sword and was going to stab Jiang Li but the Prime Minister stood in front of Jiang Li to protect her but then Duke Su’s super fan hindered the sword from doing any harm on the Prime Minister and Jiang Li.

The Emperor at last had had enough of this unruly sister so he ordered the guard to put Wanning under house arrest.  She was not to leave her palace without his say so.

Later on, the Grand Chancellor, Li Zhong Nan, went to see Princess Wanning.  She ordered him to have Jiang Li killed.   The Grand Chancellor agreed and once again said that his alliance and loyalty are with Princess Wanning and King Cheng.

Wanning also ordered Shen Yu Rong to kill Jiang Li.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li went back to the Ye Family as the Magistrate Xue and the villagers that marched with her to the Capital were staying.

The Ye held a grand meal for the people. Having heard of it, Ji Shuran held a celebratory meal for Jiang Li at the same time.

Not having had prior knowledge of the Jiang celebratory meal, Jiang Li opted to stay at the Ye party.  She told Ji Shu Ran’s maid that it was not good for the Jiang’s reputation if she leaves now.

On the other side of the Capital, King Cheng is getting ready to engage in battle.

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Episode 27

Jiang Ruoyao was meeting her new intended, the son of the powerful Qi family.  The son was immediately attracted to the beautiful Jiang Ruoyao but then Jiang Ruoyao told everyone that she was refusing the marriage.

Everyone was shocked at Jiang Ruoyao.  The Qi left in a huff.

The elder Jiangs quizzed Jiang Ruoyao why she was behaving erratically.  She told them that she blamed her mother.  Ji Shuran had been so controlling she had dictating everything she can do and she cannot do.  She was fed up with it.

Grandma was actually impressed with Jiang Ruoyao and to a certain extent, her father too.

Later, Ji Shu Ran immediately confronted her daughter of her temerity of refusing an advantageous marriage.  She blamed it on Jiang Li’s influence.

Jiang Ruoyao finally had a backbone and told her mother that she wanted to choose who she marries.

Ji Shu Ran said that Jiang Li had confused Jiang Ruoyao.

Shu Ran grounded Ruoyao.  Shuran became more determined to get rid of Jiang Li more than ever.

She mentioned her intention to her sister, the favourite royal concubine Li, once again.  Shuran also added that she was getting help from Princess Wanning.

Concubine Li was shocked.  She warned her sister of getting involved with Wanning.  Shuran, however, said that Wanning was very helpful and recommended the Imperial Diviner for the mission.

So Shuran drugged Ruoyao and let it be known that Ruoyao was possessed and they needed the Royal Ghostbuster to exorcise Ruoyao.

Episode 28

This is a hectic and rather heartbreaking episode.

You knew immediately that Tong Er was about to meet her maker because Jiang Li asked her what her plan was after everything had been settled.

Tong Er said that she wanted to live a happy, easy and luxurious life.

Jiang Li like a masterchef showed that she had already prepared something for Tong Er.  She bought her a house in Luyang and will give her enough money to start her own business.  Tong Er was so happy.

Anyway, wicked momma Ji Shuran drugged and poisoned her own daughter Jiang Ruo Yao so she could really out of it.  She then told the Prime Minister that Ruo Yan can’t be cured because she was possessed by evil spirit.  She recommended that a ghostbuster should be called to exorcise the bad spirit inhabiting Jiang Ruo Yao’s body.  It so happened that she knew someone who could exorcise Ruo Yan.  He had a good pedigree as he was the Imperial Diviner,

The Prime Minister was sceptical at first but when he saw Ruo Yan throwing up blood, he agreed to Shuran suggestion.

The day came.   It did not go as what Shuran planned.  Because of it she paid heavily for it.  Jiang Li was a few step ahead of her plotting.  Jiang Li asked Duke Su to get her someone who was good at mimicking voices.  During Liu Wencai’s showy exorcism, he made it appear that the evil spirit had left Ruo Yan’s body but not the evil spirit had chose Jiang Li as its container. Liu Wencai said that he had to take Jiang Li to the temple with him to exorcise her slowly to minimise the effect of the evil spirit on her.

Jiang Li started talking in a girl’s voice.  Shuran and Liu Wencai were shocked.  The girl’s voice said that she was Yue, she wanted help.  At that point, Madam Yue turned up all hysterical and blamed Shuran for killing her daughter Yue. Jiang Li elaborated later when she was supposed to be compos mentis that she saw a little girl in her psyche.  The little girl was playing with Ruo Yan when Ruo Yan started crying.  Shuran turned up and pushed Yue away.  Yue fell on a boulder of rock, killing her instantly.  She was then carried by Shuran’s maidservant and dropped on the pond.

Everyone was shocked.  In the commotion, Liu Wencai started attacking Jiang Li but Tong Er came to her rescue and used her body as a shield to the sword Wencai used to stab Jiang Li.

Jiang Li was inconsolable.  Wencai was stabbed fatally as well but he had Shuran as hostage with him.  He died in her arms.

Meanwhile Concubine Yue killed herself but left a suicide note further convicting Shuran of more murderous deeds.  She said that Shuran had Jiang Li’s mother killeld.

Episode 29

The Prime MInister asked Jiang Li if he could forgive him at all.  Jiang Li enumerated what the real Jiang Li had suffered at the Zhennv Hall.  She then asked the Prime Minister if what happened to her was forgivable.

The Prime Minister took a leave of absence to take Ruoyan away from the Jiang Mansion.  He ordered to just allow Jiang Li to do whatever she wanted.

Prince Cheng was a threat to the throne.  So the Emperor consulted Duke Su of what they should do to ensure that Prince Cheng does not succeed in his attempt to enlarge his jurisdiction with his army.

Duke Su said that they should cooperate with the neighbouring Daizhou State then they could easily halt Prince Cheng’s army.

The Emperor agreed.  He the asked about Jiang Li.  He reminded Duke Su not to get attach or fall for Jiang Li because she is their tool.  Any feeling for would make her dangerous and useless at the same time.  He warned Duke Su that there will be heavy consequences.

Duke Su realised that the amiable Emperor is a closet megalomaniac.

Episode 30

Jiang Li was really determined to get as close as possible to Shen Yurong but he was crafty but then Jiang Li was craftier.

Anyway, Duke Su warned Jiang Li not to get too involved with Shen Yurong for her safety as well us a bit from his jealousy.  Jiang Li said that she needed to make Shen Yurong pay for what he did.

Meanwhile, Situ Jiyue suddenly turned up.  After a lot of persuasion, she agreed to treat Magistrate Xue.

Episode 31

It turned out the poison expert, Situ Jiyue is the Princess of Zhao.  Her abduction was just foiled by the attack of Dr Su’s flying fan.

He thought that Jiang Li was jealous of Jiyue so he explained to her that the Toxin expert was the Princess of Zhao.

Episode 32

Wannng summoned Jiang Li to her palace.

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Episode 35

Consort Li for once played a willing role in helping to bring Wanning down.  It turned out that during her birthday, she secretly ordered Wanning’s drink to be mixed with herb that could simulate a pregnancy condition.

Wanning thought she was pregnant and the gossip about her condition quickly trending in the Capital.

She wanted to get rid of her baby at first but then she remembered that she was once warned that getting pregnant in her situation was almost impossible.  So her ‘pregnancy’ may be her last.  A back story was that she was taken hostage by the King of Dai and treated her abominably.  He raped her which resulted in pregnancy.  But then she was not looked after because the king of Dai ordered that she stay with the sheeps and lambs in their enclosures.  She lost the baby eventually during the later stage of her gestation.

The people were asking who the father of the baby was.

Wanning started to worry because it was a crime to be fornicating and be morally bankrupt.  She she told Shen Shuran that they should marry.

Shen Shun was not very cooperative.  The last thing he wanted was to be married to the mercurial Wanning.  So he suggested much to Wanning disappointement that she should make use of Chancellor Li’s son.  Marry Li Jin instead.  She could control him.  Shuran added that when King Cheng had taken over the Capital and of the throne, Wanning could just divorce Li Jin.  Shuran said that he and Wanning could marry freely.

When Jiang Li heard this development, she was very upset but realised that Shuran was really cunning.

Duke Su had gone to the Zhao state to rally some support from the Zhao King.

Episode 36

Qiongzi

marriage of Wanning

Episode 37

Duke Su was under house arrestGeneral Xiao Senior

Wanning pushed Li Jin to the brink, he finally had had enogh.

Wanning miscarried her pseudo pregnancy.

But Shuran found out about the herb from the Great Zhao that could induce the feeling of being pregnant.  It has a month long effect and then it could also induce a miscarriage-like feeling.

He came just in time when the Li household was in chaos as Wanning was going berserk while Chancellor Li warned her that he had enough and he would report her to King Cheng.

Shuran was told off for gatecrashing the Li Mansion but then he told them that they were all been played.

Wanning ordered to advise King Cheng to prepare the troop.  Wanning was actually heartbroen not be pregnant anymore.  Shuran comforted her that she will get pregnant one day.

Lord Cheng started to bribe the citizen so they stand behind him.

 

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Episode 39

Actress #LiMeng who played Eldest Princess Wanning gave an stellar award winning performance.  She is so believable as an unhinged spoiled princess who experinced the worst of humanity which screwed her up.

Episode 40

This ending is not satisfying.  In fact, the last few episodes should have been edited better and ended at episode 39.  There was no reason really why Wen Ji and Lu Ji had to die. Really.  There was also that element that perhaps Duke Su had also died because the scene where he was now a one-man-figthing-machine against more incoming reinforcement from the baddies was fantastical to have overcome.  The thing that really gall me with this episode was their inability to kill Chu Lan there were many instances when they defeated him but like a zombie, he comes back again and again to fight another day.  It is really madness.

And why would Xue Li be wearing a red semi-wedding dress while waiting for Duke Su to return?  He did return but in a very hazy way except that he was also wearing a red wedding hanfu.  Did he preorder a red hanfu before he went to war?  And then drop by the tailor after his return to meet Xue Li?

Episode 40.1

As a damage limitation perhaps, an extra five-minute episode was added.  It showed that Xue Li and Xiao Heng are living together, mostly happily.  They still irritiate one another as Xiao Heng had not got over his jealous streak.  Despite their bickering, they managed to produce a cute daughter.

Xue Li works as a teacher with Ye Shije.

Meanwhile, Situ Jiuyue might end up as sister in law to Xue Li as Jiuyue hit if off with Xue Zhao.

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