To continue…

6. A note on the wrist-grabs

I’ve to admit that there are times when I’m watching a drama, I imagine myself reacting for the female lead. Take for instance, when Ji Heng grabbed Tian Qi by the elbow and told her, “I’m not done. You aren’t allowed to go anywhere.”

If I had been Tian Qi, my reaction would have been:

I didn’t get what Ji Heng was up to until I saw the flashback of his conversation with Mr. Sheng.

JH: Mr. Sheng, you said you regretted that you didn’t express your feelings to the girl you loved. You regretted it until now. But have you ever thought even if you told her, you’d still be refused? What will you do?
Sheng: If I were given another chance, even if it’s like putting my face as a slate to stand on, I’d still tell her my feeling.

I don’t get this Youtube sub. What did he mean to use his face as a step stool? Did he mean to humiliate himself? He was fine humiliating himself (i.e., getting stepped on like a step stool) as long as he expressed himself. No matter what, Mr Sheng would still choose to confess his feelings rather than regret for the rest of his life, his decision not to inform the girl.

Sheng: (continuing) It’s better than using half a lifetime to regret it. As the old saying goes, “pick flowers as they bloom.”

Following Mr. Sheng’s advice, Ji Heng planned to woo Tian Qi the entire day, and declare his feelings for her that night. That’s why he said that he wasn’t “done” and why he didn’t want her to leave his side.

He kept holding on to her,

here,

here,

and here,

because he was going to confess his feelings to her during the fireworks. He had planned an “event” for her.

7. Fireworks

That night, Tian Qi offered him his usual seat, and she sat on the steps. To her surprise, he joined her on the steps.

TQ: My lord, how could you sit with me?
JH: From now on, there’s no difference between us. I’m not anymore that General Ji who scared you. I would become a considerate and caring Ji Heng who would protect you from storm and rain with my whole life.

TQ: But I didn’t tell you why I dressed up as a man. And you still trust me like this? I don’t deserve it.
JH: I trust you unconditionally. Although you still have worries holding you back from telling me the reasons for your disguise, I believe that one day, you will tell me everything without hesitation.
TQ: Thank you, Ji Heng. I think after meeting you, the days have become sweeter. I said before that you’re like the sun because you’re radiant, you brighten up my whole life. You’re also like a meteor, you give me hope.

She meant he was like a shooting star. She can make a wish on a shooting star when she sees it falling down from the sky. Likewise, with Ji Heng she can hope that her future will be brighter.

JH: Silly girl. How did you guess that I brought you here to watch the meteors? Someone said that there’ll be a meteor shower tonight. The scenery is quite magnificent.
TQ: Meteor shower? When I was little, my parents always took me to the mountains to see the stars. My father said that when the meteor streaked across the sky, I must make a wish immediately. It’ll make my wish come true.
JH: Then when you see the meteor shower, you can make a wish slowly. All your wishes will come true.

The subs from both Youtube and Viki weren’t very clear so I made minor changes. If I understood this correctly, Tian Qi’s dad was referring to one shooting star or one meteor. If she saw a shooting star, she had to make a wish right away before that meteor disappeared in the sky.

But Ji Heng had prepared fireworks for her. The fireworks were meant to represent a meteor shower. More than one shooting star would be streaking in the sky.  Hence, she could take her time to make a wish. She didn’t have to rush and she could have more than one wish.

TQ: Don’t be silly. Do you think meteors are so easy to see? You’re so lucky if you can see one. After my parents died, I’ve never gone back to the mountains and seen the stars again. Maybe things will always be like this. Beautiful things always pass by so quickly.
JH: No, it won’t. I promise. Tonight, you’ll definitely see the meteor shower.

Awwww. He was guaranteeing that she’d see a meteor shower, not just one meteor, because he prepared the fireworks for her.

TQ: It’s fireworks!

JH: Let’s imagine that it’s a meteor shower, alright?
TQ: Did you prepare all this for me?
JH: Like I said, you may have many disappointing and helpless moments in your past life. Unfortunately I wasn’t there. But it won’t happen anymore. From now on, every single day of your life will be with my protection. Make a wish quickly.

TQ: (silently praying, with eyes closed) I wish I can successfully avenge my parents. I wish I can stay with him forever. (then she opened eyes) You didn’t make a wish?
JH: My wish has already come true.

And this time, she didn’t close her eyes or blush when he kissed her.

8. Getting the truth out

The following day, Dr. Ding heard rumor that one of the doctors was caught in an immoral act. Since he was courting another servant, he feared that he was the likely target of the rumor. He was so agitated that he didn’t notice that Tian Qi herself was panicking in case somebody had discovered her with Ji Heng.

Because he was in the dark about her real relationship with General Ji, Dr. Ding tasked her to put in a good word for him with General Ji as they have a “good relationship.”

Alone with Ji Heng, Tian Qi waited for the right moment to discuss the sensitive topic.

TQ: I heard a rumor recently.
JH: What rumor?
TQ: They said (looking around, then whispering in his ear) someone said that we were together.

He just smiled. Their feelings about the matter couldn’t have been more opposite. She was upset and anxious; he was pleased and calm.

TQ: It’s just that they didn’t know my identity as a girl yet. When I walked in the Mansion today, I felt everyone was weirdly looking at me. And I overheard what they said. They said…that my lord isn’t interested in women, but you are into me.

In other words, General Ji was gay. But of course, Tian Qi didn’t say it that way.  It was rather cute the way she slowed down to whisper that he was into her… as if it was a dirty little secret. I had to laugh, too, like Ji Heng.

TQ: What are you laughing at?
JH: If I didn’t know that you were a girl, then hearing these gossips would have angered me too. But now (holding her hand), I’ll let everyone know you’re a girl. These gossips will naturally end then. There’s nothing to worry about.

For someone who didn’t have a girlfriend before, Ji Heng knew exactly when a physical touch was needed. His rational words would have been enough to calm her, but holding her hand gave her that extra comfort and reassurance.

He put an arm around her and pulled her closer.

JH: Enough now, I already said that no matter what happens, I’ll protect you. As long as you stay with me forever and never leave me, it’ll be fine.

Then Mr. Sheng walked in on them. Their different reactions were funny. I find it cute whenever Tian Qi covers the side of her face (i.e., her cheeks and especially her ears) when she’s embarrassed. She doesn’t cover her eyes and the front of her face.

Tian Qi struggled to get out of his embrace, but Ji Heng anchored her to his side and wouldn’t let her squirm away. Good for him. He was saying that he had nothing to be ashamed of.

JH: Sheng Anhuai. In the future, when I’m with Tian in here, and there are no guards outside, can’t you just inform me first? And don’t just suddenly come in!

lol. He was outraged that Mr. Sheng barged in on them. He was demanding privacy.

Sheng: Yes
JH: (gently to Tian Qi) Wait for me here. I need to briefly speak to Sheng Anhuai.
TQ: Yes. (waving him away)

Later after he revealed to Mr. Sheng the truth, he returned. She was sitting on his lap?? But I do like to imagine that when they’re married, they’ll have plenty of moments like this to themselves.

JH: I’ve already told Sheng Anhuai that you’re girl. He’s only loyal to me. If anything happens while I’m not in the Mansion, you can go to him.
TQ: Okay. Is Grandpa Sheng angry?
JH: You didn’t even worry whether I’d be angry with you for lying to me but you’re worried about an old man’s feelings?
TQ: You’re a man. Of course you won’t be mad at me.

She got the point. Why would he become angry when the truth that she was a woman would relieve and delight him? In other words, the truth was more important than the lie. And since Ji Heng was a wise man, Tian Qi knew he’d focused on the essentials.

JH: You….

A little note here on the cinematography: Having her sitting on his lap with her feet on his table is a shocking sight. But this scene indicates the “new rule” or the “new order” in his mansion. They are to be given privacy and they won’t be disturbed as long as they’re together. And as if to make the same point, the camera steadily focused on them as they talked. The camera wasn’t panning around because it expected nobody to enter Ji Heng’s room.

This is different from the scene when Tian Qi first went to him to address the rumor. In that scene, Tian Qi was worried that somebody would burst into the room and interrupt them.

In my opinion, the camera swirled around her to show that rumors were swirling around the couple.

Here, I took screenshots. First, she was fidgeting and looking around the room as if she was expecting spies.

Camera focused on her swirling the ink. This set the tone.

Then the camera zoomed to Ji Heng’s face who in turned looked at her.

Next, she nervously glanced to her side, as if expecting someone.

then the camera zoomed back to Ji Heng before moving back to her face.

Do you see it? The camera was panning around in a circular motion as if to give us the same dizzying sensation that Tian Qi must have felt because of the rumors circulating about her and Ji Heng.

This contrasted with the stabilized camera perspective of the couple after the truth of Tian Qi’s identity was revealed to Mr. Sheng.

9. Lovers’ quarrel in broad daylight

This must have been fun to film. You have to look at the servants in the background. They weren’t just wandering aimlessly into the camera frame. They were also reacting to the sight of Tian Qi and Ji Heng who both seemed oblivious of the servants when they had their first lovers’ quarrel.

TQ: My lord, will you really walk me back? Isn’t this too blatant? It’s attracting attention?  (covering her face)

Awwww. He’s like a boyfriend escorting his girl home! But look at how far apart they were! (Pssst. Look at the servant peeking at them.)

And look at the two male servants who I’m sure were gossiping about them.

He signaled her to walk right beside him. Notice their couple shoes?

JH: We used to walk together before. If we suddenly stop doing it, people may find it strange.
TQ: I think if you don’t want to others to find it strange, then you should treat me like in the past. Be strict with me. Yell at me, too.

He frowned, then turned to face her.

JH: Since when did I treat you like that? Didn’t I treat you well before?
TQ: (stunned) How can you say that? Okay, let me count.

This is like Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” in reverse. She was going to count how many ways he mistreated her. She was shocked that he could say that with a straight face, without batting an eyelash.

“How do you love me…errr…torture me?
Let me count the ways.”
by Tian Qi

When I just arrived here,
because of Her Ladyship,
I was paddled so many times.

Then, because of Sun Dali,
he almost killed me.

After that,
you wanted me to investigate.
You said if the flower died,
I had to die, too,

Also, you ridiculously sent me
to plant herbs in the field.
I planted till I had sunstroke.

And you punished me by kneeling.

I haven’t even mentioned this yet.
You made me train at the training ground.

After counting all these, I don’t think
you’re truly nice to me at all!
I think I’m too kind.
I agreed too easily to be with you.

Then she walked away in a huff. All the servants in the mansion stopped what they were doing to stare at them.

JH: Do you regret being with me? Although I didn’t treat you well before, I’ll make it up to you. From now on, you can punish me, okay?
TQ: Really?
JH: A real man never goes back on his words.

By the time, they were smiling at each other again, the servants had magically disappeared.

Overall, I thought the choreography of this scene was good. The audience’s eyes were on the two main characters strolling, fighting and then making up again. But in the background, the extra characters were also walking, stopping and walking again with their eyes also on Tian Qi and Ji Heng.

Previously, there were only speculations since only the young nephew and his nanny spotted the couple. Now, with a handful of servants witnessing their moment, there was confirmation that the General was in love with the doctor.

The cat was out of the bag, and Ji Heng was fine with that.

10. The punishment

lol. The punishment was a make-up session.

He wanted to draw arched eyebrows on her with a big brush. But he didn’t know how to apply make-up since he had no one to practice on. When he suggested practicing on other girls, Tian Qi sulkily protested.

I was grinning, too. The actress Sun Qian is cute here.

She was going to put cream on his face as punishment but he ended up kissing her on the forehead instead.

Between last night’s kiss on the lips and this afternoon kiss on the forehead, I think this one is more romantic.

On her command, he’d shut his eyes tight, waiting for her to smear cream on his face. But it didn’t come. When he opened his eyes again, he saw her gazing him intently.

To me, the context here is gratitude. The kiss on the forehead was without lust. Instead, he felt grateful. He could open his eyes and see Tian Qi, right away, staring back at him. He was delighted to watch her startled face. But his kiss expressed his gratefulness that she was there with him. She was all that mattered to him, and he had her right in front of him.

11.  Tian Qi is a girl!

I’m one of the viewers who didn’t mind that the writer delayed revealing Tian Qi’s disguise till now. It made sense.

This was the right time for the revelation because all the other elements of the story, or the mystery, had already been set into place.