My favorite moments.

1. Her bed

He summoned Tian Qi to his quarters and instead of waiting for her at his usual place behind his desk, he was sitting on her bed. He must have remembered crying over her, in that very spot, after she said goodbye three nights ago.

And he chose that spot to wait for her return. Ahhh. What a sentimental guy!

Tian Qi looked surprised to see that her bed and linens were still there.

Mr. Sheng apologized for not getting rid of the bed. Ji Heng had called it was an eyesore and ordered it removed but Mr. Sheng forgot about it after Dr. Tian was kidnapped and rescued from the Sun’s dungeon.

Sheng:  I’ll ask someone to take it away.
JH: No need. Leaving it here is fine.

I didn’t expect Ji Heng to attach importance to Tian Qi’s things. After all, wasn’t he surprised when he discovered that Tian Qi treasured the zongzi?

These two people kept souvenirs of each other, but only Ji Heng was embarrassed to admit to it.

Now, he asked her what happened the previous night. He mentioned that he remembered something vividly while he stayed at her place but didn’t add any details. Fearing that he could recall her feminine appearance, she lied and answered that he drank with her and Ji Zheng to celebrate her nuptials.

He didn’t question her further and merely switched to another matter. He asked her to identify the content of the wine Ning’er had served him last night.

She sniffed it and told him that it was a love potion. When consumed, the potion would make the drinker see only the one he loved. Ha! That’s interesting because he only saw Tian Qi after drinking the love potion.

For Ji Heng — who believed in evidence — the love potion must be the cause of his hallucinations. It explained why he saw Tian Qi with her hair down, looking like a girl, and why he dreamed of Tian Qi as his bride on their wedding day.

Little did he know, however, that his visions of Tian Qi had nothing to do with the love potion. For one, he did actually see Tian Qi with her hair down, looking like a girl. For another, he dreamed of Tian Qi as a bride because he was pleased to find out that she was a girl. Technically, the love potion didn’t cause him to hallucinate about Tian Qi.

2. His cousins’ punishment

His cousins were hauled before him and his mother. Ji Heng accused his cousin of entrapment.

JH: Cousin, did you want us to be caught in bed after a one-night love?

This is intriguing.He so badly wanted to avoid marrying his Ning’er that he had no qualms exposing and shaming them. This was different from how he forced Tian Qi to marry Chunhua to save Tian Qi and Chunhua’s reputation.

Mother: (angry with the cousins) How dare you! Do you want to ruin my son’s reputation?
JH: Mother, if it’s just a single case, I’ll let it go. But these two did a lot worse than this. Chunhua!

Chunhua then spilled the beans on the siblings. But while the brother denied everything, the sister Ning’er admitted all and blamed her actions on Ji Heng who getting too obsessed with Dr. Tian. I thought this was funny. Ning’er couldn’t accept being bested for her cousin’s affection by a “man.”

Brother: Dr. Tian is tempting the lord! I think he gets too close to the general and Marquis Marvel. I think this is inappropriate. So we did this to ease your worries, auntie. That’s all true, auntie.
JH: Mother, they are just telling tales. They must want me, and Zheng killed one day.

Obviously, Ji Heng was appealing to his mother’s protective instinct. She loved her son above anything else so she wouldn’t come to the siblings’ aid once she learned that they wanted to harm Ji Heng. She left her son to deal with the siblings as he pleased. Once she was gone, he declared his judgment.

JH: You both said I am close to Tian Qi. Surely then I will protect him today. You two drugged me; I can let it go. But you framed Tian Qi, this is unforgivable.

Mr. Sheng and Tian Qi looked at each other in surprise. Tian Qi didn’t expect him to come out strongly in her defense. He didn’t mind the wrong done against him; but he minded very much that Tian Qi was wronged.

JH: Starting today, you two will get out of Mansion Ji and never come back again.

Tian Qi was pleased.

He’d been true to his words.

3. The face slap

They say that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Ji Zheng warned Tian Qi that his brother suspected that she was a girl. He told her, “Older brother has never gone back on his decisions that easily. If my suspicion is right, he already knows you are a girl.” He added, “If my brother’s suspicious of you, he’ll definitely test you. If you don’t take action once he knows the truth, even I can’t save you.”

With this in mind, the director set up the following scene to be mysterious and scary.

First, there was an eerie background music. It’s the sort we hear in a horror flick.

Next, the camera focused on a burning candle,

which was then blown out.

Then, the camera switched focus from the candle to a sleeping Tian Qi on her bed.

This kind of shot is called a “rack focus.” The focus changes from an object in the foreground to the real subject in the background.

Now, the background music and the rack focus were the director’s way of telling us that something *bad* was about to happen to Tian Qi. She was like a “prey” here. And the candle was extinguished by an invisible “predator” in the form of Ji Heng who wanted to investigate her. lol.

He whispered to himself, “I’m doing this just to make sure of one thing. If you’re really a girl, I’ll take responsibility for you.”

The way I see it:
Make sure she’s a girl = check her breast
Take responsibility = marry her

Did you notice how people in this manor all have forced marriages in mind?

Ji Heng forced Tian Qi to marry Chunhua.
Ning’er wanted to force Ji Heng to marry her.
And now Ji Heng was going to force Tian Qi to marry him.

Her slap was epic.

And his “Impudence!” was classic.

She really did appear to be in deep sleep when she scolded him, “Bastard! Trying to steal your grandpa’s buns?!”

But after he’d gone off to bed, Tian Qi wondered if being discovered was really as bad as she thought.

TQ: If he finds out the truth, I’ll be doomed. But if he finds out that I’m a female just now, will there be another possibility between us?

“Another possibility” meant another course of action. It’s often said that when one door closes, another opens, and Tian Qi contemplates whether there’s an alternative open for them.

TQ: (continuing) Maybe…maybe… he will like me too?

And she giggled at the thought. She told her to stop daydreaming since she made up her mind to take revenge, she shouldn’t fall in love with anyone.

They both went to bed with unanswered questions.

4. The magic chest

The following day, it was her turn to play a trick on Ji Heng.

They eyed each other awkwardly, waiting for the other person to make the first move.

To me, this was an excellent example of Newton’s third law: for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction.

On one side, Ji Heng was embarrassed to do anything after he tried to touch her breast last night. But on the opposite side,  Tian Qi was very eager for him to try touching her breast again.

TQ: (thinking) Just like what auntie said, this magic contraption feels just like a man’s breasts to the touch. Why not ask General Ji to touch it with his own hands?

So, she started to grunt and touch her own breast. Ji Heng’s eyes widened in shock.

Really. I keep laughing at this actress’ antics. I read somewhere that she was giving a lot of flexibility to act out her part as she saw fit.

And if I were the actor playing Ji Heng, my face would have the same expression: exasperation.

JH: Tian Qi!  What are you doing?
TQ: My lord! I started to build my muscles these days. So my breast is much stronger than before.

She lunged and grabbed at his chest suddenly.

JH: Impudence!

TQ: My lord, it’s true! We’re almost the same. My lord, I’m must say that your chest is no better than mine. Here, you can feel it for yourself. Come on, give it a try. Fee it, please! Feel it quickly! Feel it! Come on! Just give it a try! Quickly!

Omigoodness. She sounded like she was in the market, hawking her own boobs. “Here! Touch them! They’re fresh!” Ji Heng had no choice but to fight her off.

JH: What are you doing? Leave me alone!
TQ: I beg you to have a touch.
JH: (cowering from her) Don’t bother me. Go away!

They frowned at each other.

Tian Qi was frowning because she was annoyed that she missed the opportunity to prove that she was male. But Ji Heng was frowning because he began to doubt that she was female, “What’s going on with Tian Qi? If he’s actually a girl, why would he let me touch his breasts? Maybe I’m wrong?”

I love it how they battled each other, and neither one came out the winner.

5. The splash of dirty water

Later that night, Ji Heng got his revenge.

As they were walking back to the mansion, he coughed of the blue. Concerned, Tian Qi asked, “My lord, are you not feeling well?” He brushed it off, saying, “I’m okay.”

His cough was actually a signal for one of his servants to splash dirty water on Tian Qi. Mr. Sheng pretended to move him out of the way as the servant targeted Tian Qi’s feet.

Ji Heng watched Tian Qi’s mishap with a smile. His trick worked, and he thought he fooled Tian Qi.

JH: (with a fake scowl) Tian Qi, you’re so dirty! Don’t you dare go into my room like this! Go back and clean it up.
TQ: I’ll change my clothes right now.
JH: Go! What are you waiting for? Faster! Remember to clean up!

He was harassing her, thinking that he could fluster her. After she left, Mr. Sheng asked Ji Heng if he had nothing better to do than to tease Tian Qi like that. He didn’t answer and left Mr. Sheng behind.

I love the roof top acrobatics. That was cool.

But just like that night when he blew the candle, Tian Qi was prepared with her counterattack. She had paid a man to display his chest and pretend to be her. Sneaky, right?

But she almost had him convinced. If it wasn’t for the missing scar from the arrow wound, Ji Heng would fallen for her trick, too. Knowing that she was up to something, he quickly turned back and caught Tian Qi just in time leaving with her bucket.

Don’t you just love these scenes because they were trying to outsmart the other person. It was like a battle of wits between them.

6. No explanation needed

He rejoiced to find out that Tian Qi was female. But riding home on a horse was too much. She walked there so the bathing pool couldn’t have been that far away for him to need a horse.

When Tian Qi returned after her bath, he told Mr. Sheng he didn’t need her services. He tousled and turned that night but, unlike in previous nights, he didn’t wake up crying out her name. He wasn’t bothered by a nightmare. He was bothered by his feelings for Tian Qi. He had to sort them out.

He thought, “If Tian Qi is really a girl, that means that these past days I’ve been sleeping with a woman? So that’s why I always want her to be around me, and care about what she thinks. It’s all because she’s a woman.”

He was saying that, subconsciously, he knew that she was a woman. He was relieved that his senses didn’t deceive him. He treated her differently because all along, she was a girl and he sensed it.

He then wondered, “Now I know she’s a woman, but I don’t feel annoyed by it. Is it because she’s been with me a long time? No. Sheng Anhui is also around me all the time. What if he were a woman…(the vision of a female attendant grossed him out)…That means I don’t hate Tian Qi for disguising herself as a man. I’m not angry… not only because she’s a woman, but also because she’s Tian Qi.

He was saying that, while he was pleased that she was a woman (and not a man), he was even more so, because she was Tian Qi. Had she been another woman (e.g., a MISS Sheng), he wouldn’t have felt the same degree of happiness.

As he went back to sleep, he pondered, “Why does she disguise herself as a man? A woman’s heart is more complicated than war.”

7. Mr. Sheng’s advice

The following day, he asked where Tian Qi was and why she was late. Mr. Sheng reminded him that he said he didn’t need her services, so she went off to transcribe medical books. Ji Heng had to quickly think of an excuse to get her back by his side.

JH: Medicine books help to save lives. There mustn’t be any mistake. How could he do it without supervision? Tell him to transcribe it here.
Sheng: My lord. Since when did you learn about medicine? How will you know if he’s written it wrong?

Changing topic, Ji Heng asked him about the household staff. He didn’t want to appear to be asking about women because Mr. Sheng would tease him.

JH: I heard that maids in our mansion quarrel a lot recently. As a senior staff, can you tell me why are women always pretending and lying?

He meant Tian Qi of course. He wanted to know what reason she could possibly have to disguise herself as a man. Mr. Sheng bragged that he was an expert on women.

Sheng: Saying and doing are two different things for women. You need to learn about psychology before you’ll understand women. You need to guess.
JH: (interested) What do you mean?
Sheng: When they said, “I don’t need it. I don’t want it. I don’t like it” it doesn’t actually mean that they don’t need, want or like it. They’re just setting a trap, waiting for you, testing your sincerity.
JH: So do you mean that if they say they don’t like you, maybe they mean the opposite and like you?

He’s wondering about Tian Qi. Tian Qi had told him that he liked him. Remember Episode 17?

Sheng: That’s not at all the case. She may say that she likes you, but she doesn’t.

lol. It means it’s possible that the girl is faking her feelings for him to get something from him.

JH: (sighing) When they say one thing, they might think about the opposite in their mind. A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets.

lol. He was being metaphorical. First, a woman’s heart is more complicated than war. Then now, a woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets.

8. Tian Qi’s more complicated than war

Ji Heng was doing his own reconnaissance. He was surprised to see Ji Zheng visiting Tian Qi.

JZ: Tian Qi, in a few days, I’ll set out to do an important thing which is also very dangerous. So I came here to say goodbye.
TQ: Why not give up if it’s that dangerous?
JZ: I can’t but if you can do me a favor, such as coming with me together, you may save my life when I need you. What do you say?

Awwwww. Did Ji Zheng think he could die on his mission and he wanted Tian Qi to attend to him? Or did he just not trust his brother to be with Tian Qi without him around?

TQ: In other words, you just want me to go with you. You want me to get out of this mansion.
JZ: I knew you’d say that. I won’t force you. But Tian Qi, I have a question. You disguised as a male to get here, and you got kicked out several times.
JH: Ji Zheng!

Methinks he didn’t want his brother reminding Tian Qi of his ill-treatment of her.

JZ: Why do you insist on coming back? Is it all because of that thing you have to do? Or do you have another reason?
JH: (realizing) So he knew about her gender long before?
TQ: (evading) Since you asked me, maybe it’s because my lord is too generous, he gives me reward from time to time. For that kind of money, I’m willing to…(giggling)
JZ: So it’s all for money? Nothing else? For example, my brother?
TQ: No way! He’s so emotional. And he likes to paddle me. My butt still hurts until now.
JZ: (stifling a smile) It must be very difficult for you to serve him every day.
TQ: Hmph! Exactly. It’s so hard when I see even my heart skips a beat.
JZ: Hearing you say this, why does it sound like a girl falling in love?

Yes, because she was a girl in love. Her heart did indeed skip a beat every time she saw General Ji.

TQ: Huh?
JZ: Are you sure it’s fear and not…
TQ: No way! Look at him. His appearance is ok. But he has no other virtues besides that. Cold as ice, stubborn as rock. All he knows is brandishing weapons. And he has no clue about romance. What kind of woman will fall for him? Only a masochist.

This is cute. She didn’t like to praise JH to his brother, so she only rated his appearance as “okay.” But to Ji Heng’s face, she’s told him that he was handsome.

His reactions to her words were comical. It’s true that eavesdroppers rarely hear any good of themselves. He was surely getting an earful.

TQ: (continuing) He’s not like you. You’re cute and humorous.
JZ: Calm down. Tian Qi, what kind of man do women like?

He was asking the questions that Ji Heng should have asked but couldn’t. Ji Zheng could easily converse with Tian Qi because they were friends.

TQ: (pondering) What kind of man? I think it should be like wind, flower, snow, and moon.
JH: Romantic?

This. According to the Viki sub, Tian Qi didn’t actually say that the man should be romantic. It was Ji Heng who deduced her meaning after she mentioned, “wind, flower, snow, and moon.” He took to heart what Tian Qi said about wanting a romantic man. Ji Zheng, on the other hand, only thought her remark was cute.

See here? Ji Heng glanced up at the sky wondering how to make Tian Qi’s wish come true.

TQ: Why must the rain be transparent? Why can’t it be pink? Do you think I’m talking nonsense?
JZ: On the contrary, I think you’re rather cute. Hey, your hat is crooked.

He gestured to her to lean in closer. Of course, Ji Heng didn’t see his gesture. When he peeked in, he thought his brother was kissing TQ, so he barged in on them. He scolded them.

JH: He can’t be that close, too. Don’t you know that men and women can’t be that close in contact?
TQ: Huh?
JH: I’m saying men and women can’t be in such a close contact…two men, even more so. If you’re that close in contact, it’ll create a scandal.

Good save!

JZ: Older brother, as a physician there aren’t that many rules for Tian Qi. If not, then how can they take pulses and do acupuncture for the patients. These need to be done with physical contact.
JH: If you want to have your pulse taken or receive acupuncture, don’t we still have Dr Ding in the manor? Get him instead.
JZ: Older brother, you don’t want me to seek treatments from Dr. Tian? Do you think Dr. Tian’s medical skill is not good now?
JH: That’s right! His medical skill isn’t good.

His jealousy was making him irrational.

TQ: If my medical skill isn’t good, then why do you still seek me for treatments? Go look for someone else then.
JH: Who says I’m looking for you? I’m looking for Ji Zheng.

What I like about this ending scene is that Ji Heng realized (hopefully) that although understanding a woman’s heart may be more complicated that strategizing for a war, understanding his own heart was just as complicated.

One, he couldn’t send somebody else to observe the “terrain” or the thoughts of Tian Qi. He had to do it himself.

Two, although physically he couldn’t get hurt by mere words from Tian Qi, emotionally, he could get aggravated and battered.

Three, jealousy made him irrational like never before in a battle.

And last, there was no such thing as allies when in pursuit of the same girl… unless one conceded defeat.

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