I’m not embarrassed to say that this episode made me feel like a giggly twentysomething again.
If I’ve to pick my top three episodes in this Cdrama, this one will definitely be on the list. I’ll have to do two parts because of the pictures.
My highlights.
1. Parrying Ji Zheng’s request
Typically, I would have hated Ji Zheng by now for being insistent. But I liked how Ji Heng adeptly blocked every time so I don’t mind him.
JZ: I’ve traveled many places and know people in various trades. So I’m pretty sure, we can get along well with each other. That’s why I asked Older Brother for Tian Qi again and again. Now, I hear from you that you aren’t satisfied with him. So why don’t you…
JH: No way. Tian Qi can only stay in Mansion Ji. Don’t even think about it.
JZ: Brother, what you said is weird. I only think he’s a great talent. Then I want to ask you this. Why do you insist on keeping him in Mansion Ji? In your mind, what do you really think of Tian Qi?
Ji Zheng was being sneaky here. He knew that his brother wouldn’t and couldn’t think of Tian Qi as someone he could have feelings for as long as he regarded Tian Qi as male. He was pressuring Ji Heng to give his word since he knew that Ji Heng was a man of his words.
JH: He…he saved my life before. I’ve said that I’ll keep him safe.
JZ: As you said this is a brotherhood of death. If one day, Tian Qi wants to leave here for a better life, please let him go.
JH: It’s not you who should request this of me. If he truly thought he could live a better life by leaving here, I’ll surely let him go. And if he doesn’t want to leave, no one can take him away.
JZ: Well, please remember what you said today.
But Ji Heng could play this game, too. He was insisting that it was Tian Qi’s decision to make, not Ji Zheng’s, because he believed in his power to persuade Tian Qi to stay by his side.
I like this shot. The leaves made a good frame around the two brothers.
2. Jealous of Ji Zheng
JH: Does Zheng often go to see you?
TQ: Not often. We just occasionally chat and have dinner together.
JH: When did you guys become so close?
TQ: Since I came to Mansion Ji, he has always taken care of me.
JH: Are you saying that he has been protecting you and I haven’t?
I like how she ran to his side. She knew his insecurity and she knew where this conversation was heading. He was getting upset again from over-thinking that he’d been neglectful and that that he was only a second fiddle to his brother. She was averting a misunderstanding.
TQ: My lord, it’s not what I mean. Compared to Marquis Marvel, of course, you take care of me more.
JH: Really? Why do I feel that you’re closer to him?
He looked like he was sulking here. He wouldn’t have reacted like this had he still believed Tian Qi to be a guy.
TQ: Let me explain, my lord. You’re like the sun in my heart. Bright and shiny. I can’t look directly at it, but can only admire. You’re very radiant in my eyes. As for Marquis Marvel, he’s like a moon in my eyes. Smooth and soft. Even if I get closer to him, I won’t get hurt.
The sub here was awful so I changed it a bit. Tian Qi was saying that Ji Heng was someone she had to look up too while Ji Zheng was a friend. However, the interesting bit here is that had she known who Ji Heng really was, i.e., her childhood friend, then she wouldn’t regard him as somebody too noble and too grand for her to LIVE UP TO. If she had known that he was her childhood friend, then she would have regarded him simply as someone to LIVE WITH.
JH: You mean, coming closer to me would hurt you more easily? And Zheng is fun and humorous? Which one is more pleasing to women? If you were a girl, will you choose him or me?
TQ: (yawning) I’m not a girl and I wouldn’t know which one a woman would choose either.
JH: You just don’t want to answer the question!
TQ: No, no, no. I’m really a bit sleepy. Ever since I came here, I get up earlier than a chicken and sleep later than the dog.
JH: Didn’t you sleep well? (pause) Today and tomorrow, I don’t need you to serve. Leave now.
TQ: Yes.
I like the way he smiled here. He must have been plotting his next move to make sure that Tian Qi liked him more than Ji Zheng.
That night, she dreamt of him.
JH: You worry that you’d get hurt if you’re close to me?
TQ: I’m willing to serve you.
JH: But you think Zheng is better than me.
TQ: That’s the lie I tell myself. In my heart, you’re the best.
JH: I don’t believe you.
TQ: My lord, don’t leave me alone. Don’t drive me away.
Here, she was clearly worried that he would kick her out. To me, she was worried because a) she hadn’t accomplished her mission of avenging her parents’ death and b) she loved him. At this point, I wonder which one was more important to her.
3. Flower petals
One of my favorite scenes. I like the way he twirled.
JH: Do you like it?
TQ: (nods head then changes her mind) No, I don’t. Not at all.
JH: Didn’t you say all women will like it?
Here, he was referring to the conversation he overheard her having with his brother. Tian Qi had told Ji Heng that a woman would like a man to be like “wind, flower, snow and moon.” Ji Heng interpreted this to mean that she wanted a “romantic” guy. Then, Tian Qi mentioned wanting rain to be pink rather than transparent so he showered her with pink flowers.
TQ: I’m…I’m not a woman. How could I know? I need to cook my herbal medicine now. I’ll excuse myself.
Elbow grab!
I liked this shot. For some reason, I liked that their belts lined up although he was taller than her. It would have been awkward if her belt was poking his groin. lol.
JH: I haven’t finished yet. You’re not allowed to go anywhere.
TQ: If people see this, this isn’t appropriate.
JH: I’m not scared. Why are you? Or do you feel that it’s inappropriate because you’re a girl.
He was saying that they were doing nothing inappropriate because they weren’t both men. But if SHE felt that it was inappropriate to be this close to each other because he was a man and she was a woman, then he understood.
TQ: ??
JH: I know everything.
TQ: ??
JH: Scared? Is it because you were scared that you didn’t admit it?
TQ: No. I was scared that once I was discovered I wouldn’t be able to stay by your side anymore.
Now, I must say that the last part of this conversation sounded straight out of a romance book. Hmmm…Who was the famous romance book writer whose heroines were always speechless after they proposed to? She didn’t have to write words for the heroines. Instead, she used a lot of ellipses.
I don’t know what’s up with this director but he sure loved to have our couple do “The Dip.”
4. Her new pink dress
This scene! I think he was too eager to have her dressed in girl’s clothing in order to erase from his mind that he’d thought of her as a guy.
JH: Try it.
TQ: But..but..
JH: Don’t you know how to wear it? Or do you need my help?
He’s being naughty. But I wonder if he remembered when he’d asked Tian Qi to undress him for his bath?
TQ: I can do it myself. No need for your help. Please go out.
JH: But I’m willing to help you.
TQ: (pushing him) Get out.
Love the way they grinned at each other here!
JH: Really.
TQ: Get out. Out. Out. I’m not willing to.
JH: Really.
TQ: Get out, now.
JH: Okay. Then I’ll wait for you outside. Be quick.
When he returned, this was what he saw —
With all the pink silk and pink ribbons on the dress, I think he accomplished his mission. He wanted to remove all memories of Tian Qi as a guy.
JH: It’s so pretty.
TQ: Really?
JH: My taste is very good. This dress is so beautiful on you.
TQ: Lord Ji, what have I done wrong this time? Why do you punish me?
She’s referring to that day he made her wear girl’s clothing.
JH: This isn’t a punishment, but you should have worn a dress like this a long time ago. Or else, I’ll keep thinking that I like a guy.
See? He meant that she should have worn a dress sooner to spare him from the distress of thinking that he liked a guy.
TQ: Well, when I was disguised as a man, did you feel attracted to me? (putting an arm around his neck)
JH: (putting his arm around her back) Stop it. You were a man before. How could I love you?
Okay, writer! I got this already! Ji Heng was not into guys.
5. Expecting a kiss
I thought it was funny that she was ready for his kiss. The moment he leaned in, she closed her eyes, and raised her chin. Too bad that he just pinched her cheek.
However, I think he understood WHY she closed her eyes.
He teased her for putting on “bored look” (meaning, she closed eyes) and told her that he didn’t give everybody a day off just for her to doze off the whole day. Although he knew that she’d closed her eyes for a kiss, he was pretending that she closed her because she was sleepy. hahaha.
Then, later when he caught her in his arms and dipped her again, he noticed her watching him. He asked, “What are you daydreaming about?” And she denied doing so. He asked, “No? Then why is your face red then?”
He must have known that she was blushing because she was again expecting a kiss from him. But unlike earlier when she closed her eyes, she was openly staring at him. Her teasing must have annoyed her. But I’m not sure whether she was chagrined because he commented on her blushing or because he withheld his kiss again.
I think he was saving the kiss for later.
WAAAAAAA! I love it! I love it! 🥰 🥰 🥰
Oh! Of course she wanted a kiss then and there! She fancied him enough even at episode 4. 😂
I’ll be back later to complete my comment.
There’s so many lovely gifs here, I’m in awe. 😍
1 – I’m so glad TQ accidentally took that arrow and saved JH on that trip so since then he’s always used it as reasoning for telling everyone that TQ is his man and that they’ve become ‘brother’s for life’ because of it. I think he’s said it a few times.
2 – I like how direct his questions were to TQ. 😁 JZ cares more than I do? He’s more funny and I’m not? You’d get hurt more if you’re with me? I’m the sun and his the moon? Who would you prefer? 😂 I wished he’d outright just say who do you like? 😆
He is so jealous here, he couldn’t hide it anymore but he stayed cool. 😎
3 – That twirl is 😍 TQ’s man was a gift from heaven complete with petal flowers 😆 Her answer of ‘I’m scared I can’t be with you anymore if you find out’ was all he needed to realise that she does like him. 🥰
Yeah that dip would have been more sweeter if both her arms are holding on to him and vice versa.
4 – Waaa! So carefree of JH here! Telling TQ that he’ll help her put the dress on! Such a tease! 😁 And his smile! 😍
5 – I know I was eager for the kiss too but JH leaned over. Too close so she couldn’t handle it 😂 She definitely wanted a kiss. A kiss on the cheek would have been fine instead of a pinch. 🤪
But JH likes to kiss at the right time and the right place. 🥰🥰🥰
Silly me. I’ve read the review here but I haven’t even watched episode 1 yet so probably spoiling show for myself. Looks good. I’m saving it for when we are in “lockdown” or “quarantine”. Don’t mind so long as Netflix and WiFi works. Are shows being delayed in production at all does anyone know?
Hmmm…you just gave me an idea on what to write next.
Ref the pink dress and pm3’s quote: ‘TQ: Well, when I was disguised as a man, did you feel attracted to me? (putting an arm around his neck)’
Yes, but in the epilogue, when he tells the hopeful girl and mother that he is already married and his wife is right behind them… The camera pans and we see Tian Qi back to being dressed as a man. (at least that’s how I saw it) The girl and mother run off scandalised! 😂🤣 Oh those two.
Thanks for the recap! I briefly skimmed this episode since I’m waiting for Edited Viki subs for this drama. (Still coming at a snail’s pace at Ep. 9. With 19 eps to go, I have resigned myself to probably watching this drama at the end of the year) I loved the “flower petal shower” scene too.
As for the romance writer who overused ellipses, that was Barbara Cartland. I still find it amazing that Anwar Sadat publicly admitted to being a fan of her. Several of her books were made into TV movies a long time ago (the films are pretty fun and star some famous actors at the beginning of their careers-like Hugh Grant) and after watching the movies, i decided to check out her books-and the ellipses drove me crazy! I really wish her editor had just removed them since once they were gone, the dialog and story flowed so much better.
Yes! I noticed that she was dressed in that light green outfit again. Shocking!
Plus, Tian Qi is taller than the other girls in the drama, like the servant Chunan (?) who had a crush on her. When Chunan stood beside Tian Qi (while they were talking about their fake marriage), Tian Qi did look like a protective, sensitive guy.
Poor Chunan! 🙂
@agdr03
1. You’re right. The arrow changed their dynamics. And JH was able to use the incident as an excuse to keep her with him at all times.
2. Every time I hear that sun/moon metaphor, I’m reminded of that kdrama, “The Moon embracing the Sun.” The sun is masculine and the moon is feminine. So in this drama, I found it funny that JZ is referred to as the moon. lol.
But true. He is the moon. He can only reflect his brother’s greatness.
3. The petal twirl. lol. Doesn’t it remind you of “The Nutcracker” ballet? Like the “Waltz of the Flowers”??
But the flower show was only the beginning of the day-long event he planned for her. It culminated in the fireworks.
4. Yes, the dress was over-the-top. Too many ribbons.
5. How many kisses did we get in the Kdrama? I think the healing kiss is romantic now that I know the context.
2 – I watched The Moon Embracing The Sun too but I’d forgotten it now. 😄 I know it’s KSH there as the lead.
Yes, JZ is the moon here because he was gentle in many ways. 😊
3 – I just watched the Nutcracker ballet with the Waltz of the Flowers and yeah it’s similar. So pretty that ballet dance. 😍.
But JH was proud of what he’d accomplished after the whole day event. ☺️
4 – Yeah, I actually liked the dress she was wearing when she gave him the medicine.
5 – I should keep a tab on the number of kisses while re-watching. 😄
I agree, it’s romantic because JH knows it can only be TQ who would think to give him the medicine that way and that she wants him to live.
Good point @Fern 😄 You’d think after getting married TQ won’t wear anymore men clothing but she still did. Maybe because JH is afraid she’ll attract attention and he’d get jealous again 😁
Here’s another sub that made it more meaningful, it’s episode 4 where JH was telling JZ about what the fireworks festival meant for him and TQ. He said that TQ pestered her to go and even asked him to buy masks for her. The masks is a tradition wherein two adults wear it and under the fireworks and sky lanterns they will confess their love. ☺️
It’s true what JZ said that JH always talked about Zhoer to him that’s why he was capable of pretending to be younger brother.
@agdr03, ‘You’d think after getting married TQ won’t wear anymore men clothing but she still did.’ Yes, I couldn’t quite believe my eyes and thought what it could mean? If he didn’t like it, he would say so and I think she wouldn’t do it. Or if she has come to prefer men’s clothing because she feels less restricted when alone outside the manor, he might understand that. However, they were both in the town together, so I can only imagine that it’s something they are both comfortable with. There is no sense of embarrassment or unease with his interactions with her in this scene and he also calls her Zhao’er rather than Tian Qi.
@adgr03, thank you for pointing out this sub:…’ episode 4 where JH was telling JZ about what the fireworks festival meant for him’
That is SO romantic. I suppose it would be similar to a western masked ball where courting couples could hide their identities from onlookers. Ahhh. 💖 I suppose that Zhao’er at that age mightn’t realise the significance of the masks, but just thought they were fun. I loved the flashback to where she first meets him when she is lost from her parents. Both of them are really taken with each other from that moment.
I’ll do a rewatch with agdr03 later she’s on Episode 4…5 now. 🙂
But first, I’ve to finish up my review of “When the Weather is Nice”
Oh oh are we doing a rewatch? 🙋🏻♀️ Is that my time now or tomorrow your time? Just let me know ok. I’ve got time tonight. ☺️
@Fern , please wait, I need to gather my thoughts because Huang Junjie’s smile in that video is very distracting! 🥰😂
I’ll need 5 minutes. 😆
Are you free now? Are you free an hour from now?
An hour from now is good 😁
We do episode 4 or 5?
Exciting! 🥳
I can open a thread for Episodes 2 to 5, then another one for Episodes 6 to 8. I noticed that I skipped reviewing 2 to 8.
Okay. I’ll see you at 6:30 am (my time). That’s an hour from now.
Okie! We’ll start on episode 2? I’ll go straight to the open thread that you’ll make.
I’ll see you then. ☺️
You want to start with Episode 2? Okay. Fine with me.
I think I can put it down to just being comfortable or even just recapturing the times that they were in town together. TQ was dressed as a man almost all of those times. The only exception was when JH grabbed her and took her away from JZ so he can talk to her.
It seems too that not everyone in town knows who General Ji is because of those mother and daughter. 😃 I liked that he actually said ‘my wife is behind you’. 🥰🥰🥰
You’re right @Fern , JH said that he didn’t think that Zhao’er realised what the masks were for because she was very young but she made him feel happy. What is their age difference? 6-7 years?
I get the romantic now when I think of JH pleading with her to watch the fireworks with him for the last time on episode 26. ☹️ That’s why it hurt him so much when she said no.
Yes, I liked the way they first met too and really they just got along well right from the start. 😊