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Episodes 1 to 5: The mystery of the beheaded bride
Episodes 6 to 10: Dark secrets in the purple bamboo grove
Episodes 11 to 15: The monster of Samyuan village
Episodes 16 to 19: The ballad of the Shuangqing Troupe
I know I gave you all small “tasks” to look out for while watching this series.
1. Look for the many uses of mirrors and reflections to direct our attention to the changing mood of the story or inner state of mind of the characters.
2. Look for the big clue(s) at the beginning of each mystery which will serve as the symbol/representation of the crime. I gave as examples the missing skull (for Eps 1-5), the bamboo internode (for Eps 6-10) and the wooden plaque (for Eps 11-15).
I’ll add one more because I’m seeing a pattern here.
3. Look for the feminist ideals being championed in the story.
I’ll give one example:
In Episode 14, Shen Wan’s friend/senior doctor argued with Yan Chi about broadcasting her forensic skills and not protecting her reputation as a medical doctor.
YC: Lady Wan already had a reputation as the “medical fairy” in Jingzhou. Then why did she become a coroner?
Friend: I know. My junior once said that whether by practicing medicine or working as a coroner, she can make an impact everywhere. Whether dealing with the dead or the living, she can achieve great things. But back then, she was helping you secretly, so her reputation remained intact.
YC: But she’s not the one to care for empty fame.
Friend: But the world does. She’s a woman burden with deep hatred…with extraordinary talent. Without a good reputation what should she do in the future?
YC: (standing up) The Medicine King Valley has a century-old legacy. Yet only Lady Wan takes it upon herself to seek justice for the wronged. How could we let worldly gossip bury such a gem. Women in this world have it hard enough. That’s why we must treat her as a national treasure.
Friend: Your Highness, how long can you protect her?
YC: What I want is that one day she won’t need my protection to do as she pleases and earn the world’s respect.
Look here: When I watch this type of cdrama, I do NOT look for a realistic portrayal of the culture and conventions of the time period. These cdramas aren’t like Jane Austen’s works. Her books can be dissected for her realistic observations of social landscape of the British landed gentry in early 19th century because she lived in that bubble. In contrast, these cdrama writers are writing about an imaginary, fictional time. Sure, they may have done some research, but their knowledge cannot compare to first-hand experience.
Thus, instead of searching for veracity in the portrayal of the social mores of Imperial China in this cdrama, what I’m looking for is the anachronism – or the superimposition of our 21st century values onto a “historical” setting. For clearly, Yan Shi was speaking as a 21st century man when he advocated for Shen Wan’s freedom to pursue a career in her chosen field of forensics. This view of his – as admirable as it is – would be unheard of in the Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
His words reflect the screenwriter’s modern-day sensibilities.
Here’s another example of the contemporary mindset snuck into a “historical” setting: the moment when the Third Branch Madam left the Qin residence without acknowledging her granddaughter.
Maid: The Third Madam is cruel. Even if she resents you for leaving, the baby is still her granddaughter. She didn’t even ask a single word about her.
Xinlan/widow/the new mother: That’s better. From this day forward, my daughter will have nothing more to do with this filthy place.
SW: You’re so magnanimous, Xinlan. Things will turn out well for you.
Xinlan: After we part today, we may never meet again. Wan, you’re talented and virtuous. Deserving to be cherished by the best man in the world. All I wish for you is a good match. To live happily with him.
SW: Thank you, Xinlan. But I wish all the women in the world could cherish themselves without needing a man’s love to feel worthy.
Do you see what I mean? Shen Wan spoke like a woman of our time and age, not as a woman living in Ancient China. Her words are textbook advice to the young women of today. But in the olden times, her words may be perceived as self-indulgent, narcissistic, and even unfilial.
Anyway, those are my three tasks as I watch this series. I like to challenge myself into going beyond the “feels” of the show and the beauty of our main couple. Not there’s anything wrong with gushing over Ao RuiPeng and Landy Li’s screentime and interaction. They’re both sweethearts.
One of the romantic moments: he wanted to touch her sleeping face but he ended up trying to shade her eyes. Also, note the reflection (is it a split view?) on the 3rd gif.
From Episode 13.
Let’s enjoy the show.
@pkml3 I do believe that you’re right about the 2) clue in the opera concerning the son going to hell to save his mother.
Your point 3) The feminist ideal is to stop enduring domestic violence. The little boy kept witnessing his mother being beaten by his father, Merchant Pang. Wan treated her and deliberately exposed the signs of abuse that she had hidden. Wan told her: “Madam please don’t harbour any more illusions. If a man hits you once, he will do it countless times. He’ll only become more comfortable and reckless with it. Men who raise their hands against women are all of corrupt character, complete and utter cowards. How could they have the willpower and determination to change themselves?”
The mother wants her son to grow up.
“What difference will it make when he grows up? Watching his mother be humiliated and abused every day, powerless to do anything. Overtime that will only leave him full of resentment and repression. How could he possibly grow into someone strong and responsible? Stop using your children as an excuse” (to do nothing about reporting the abuse and protecting herself).
But Mdm Pang chooses to endure the torment. Wan tells her that if she does not want to live in that hell forever she has to risk everything and leave it all. Only then will she and the children have a chance for a better life.
The killer of the 4 people was once again a victim whose family had been wiped out by torture, because the head of their family Zhang had been investigating the gold heist committed/hidden by them. She meted out the same 4 methods of murder upon the people who had been involved in the killing of her Zhang family. Hence she was ‘going into hell’ to save her family in accordance with the song’s lyrics.
Episodes 16 and 17 bring in a slew of new characters, and if you’re like me, it’ll be tough work remembering the names and faces. So here’s a simple guide. The new characters have an asterisk before their names.
Qin Yan: Shen Wan’s male cousin
*Qin Zhaoyu (or Yu for short): Qin Yan’s sister and SW’s cousin, too. A match with the Crown Prince is being arranged by their father. But in a previous episode, Qin Yan recognized that Shen Wan was a much superior matrimonial candidate than his own sister.
Qin Shu: the patriarch/First Son of the Qin family. Also, called Marquis of Zhongyong. Politically, he seems to aligned with the Crown Prince. He, too, recognizes that Shen Wan was the best of all his nieces, and even better than his own daughter.
Qin Xiang: the cousin who eloped with the bad guy. Is desperate to marry somebody well-off. Seems irredeemable. Legitimate daughter of that evil, syphilitic Third Son of the Qin family.
Qin Shuang: the cousin who seems to be getting closer to Shen Wan after Shen Wan rescued her from the well. Was caned because she dissed the Grand Princess. Redeemable. Daughter of the Third Son and a concubine.
Qin An: the evil Third Son.
Yan Chi: the lead male. Son of Prince Rui. Emperor’s nephew. Is currently taking leave of absence from the Shouxi Army to work in the Ministry of Justice.
Prince Rui: The emperor’s brother. General of the Shuoxi Army. Seemingly estranged from his son, Yan Chi, because of some military squabble. But this could all just be fake news so Yan Chi and his father could go their separate ways and avoid being easy targets by assassins.
*Prince Li: aka Yan Li. BFFs with Yan Chi. Flamboyant, gregarious, but seems to get the job done. To be matched with Princess YongNing. Can make a good spy.
Princess Yongning: BFFs of Shen Wan. Cousin of Yan Chi on the matriarch/Yue side of the family. To be matched with Yan Li.
Yue Qiong: Uncle of Shen Wan (brother of his mother?). Current Marquis of Anyang. Seems to be another father figure to Yan Chi. Adopted father of Shen Wan.
The Grand Princess: the emperor’s aunt. At the behest of Yan Chi, she became the adopted (or foster?) grandmother of Shen Wan. She’s the matriarch of the Yue clan.
*Prince Yu: the emperor’s uncle. From the Yan clan (?). IIRC, Shen Wan thought he was a dirty old man because, given his old age, he still sired a son with a young concubine. Has a birthday party and Shen Wan, Yan Chi, et al., have to detour and attend the festivities at Yuzhou.
Prince Jin: deceased. The emperor’s eldest son. Good friends with Yan Chi.
The new baddies:
*Li Muyun: the new Minister of the Supreme Court. Shen Wan’s father used to mentor him until his betrayal; he accused SW’s father of conspiring with Prince Jin and covering up the crime. It stands to reason that Shen Wan hates him. Good thing he can’t remember Shen Wan’s face. Oddly enough, he’s currently one of the emperor’s favorites in court. Was sent to investigate the salt transport, just like Yan Chi. But it’s also possible that he’s been sent there to put pressure on Prince Yu (the emperor’s uncle) and the officials in the region.
*Liu Renli: corrupt official. Not only is he the transport commissioner, but he’s also the tea-and-salt commissioner. (Interesting….so he basically controlled the tea-and-salt trade.) Felt threatened by the arrival of Yan Chi because he knew that YC was sent to investigate the corruption in the salt transport.
*Pang Fuliang: (the character with the ugly mole on his cheek). The richest merchant in the northwest. Owner of the luxurious Shifang Inn franchise. But Princess Yongning thinks they’re nouveau riche (i.e., lacking manners). The Qin cousins are staying at his mansion. Liu Renli and Pang Fuliang were from the same province, DingZhou but they want to keep this fact secret.
From the Shuangqing Troupe:
*Yang Ning: the side kick. Accidentally kills his boss.
*Qing Li: the boss or top star of the Shungqing Troupe. They were invited to perform at Prince Yu’s birthday party. She lost ownership of the Troupe because of a bet so she was blackmailing her former partners-in-crime: the corrupt official/Liu Renli and the rich merchant/Pang Fulian/mole guy. Her death triggered the investigation.
*Madam Qin: real name is Qing Yun. Former leader of the Shungqing Troupe. Was actually the master/mentor of Qing Li. Wants to team up with corrupt official/Liu Renli and blackmail the mole guy/Pang Fuliang, too. Permanent resident of Pang mansion.
Thanks, @GB.
I’ll rewatch these episodes tonight because I couldn’t follow who’s who. The old men especially all looked alike to me! And don’t even get me started on the names…
Ugh.
@pm3 I was Just looking around Online for something that could help me keep track of all the characters. Thank you very much for your post.
I just finished episode 20 and was shocked to realize There was not another episode yet. This will prevent me from binging now that I have to stick to just two episodes a day.
Now, you can slow-watch the earlier episodes and see where you missed some things, @monmor.
For instance, do you know what happened to Mr. Dong, Dr. Sun’s manservant? He seems to have disappeared after giving the report that Mr. Bai left the residence that morning. Was he killed, too? Was it his body on the operating table?
I found it weird that only SW’s colleague, the good doctor, remained in that big mansion.
Hi @pkml3. Thanks for the list of who’s whom.
This part though, I believe you meant Yan Chi and not Shen Wan??? If so, you may want to amend it.
I’m also pretty confused about who’s whom. I’m just trying to broadly separate the good from the evil to begin with and figure out the details later!!!
@GB I like your approach To just figure out the bad ones from the good ones!
Thanks, @GB, for spotting that. Will edit.
@pm3 I had the same thought about the cousin then we see he is not a very nice person. Or at least I think that was him😁
Thanks for this, @GB.
The ballad from the opera did was significant. For our records:
The Dharma sees the child’s filial piety.
He tries to find and save his mother in hell.
Ride on the auspicious cloud, heading for Mount Lingshan.
Buddha’s compassion guides the way.
Buddha’s compassion guides the way.
Qing (aka Qing Huan) sang it as Shen Wan left the prison cell.
It’s understand why SA would identify with Qing’s situation. Qing inherited her mentor Qing XI’s skills. She witnessed the death of her mentor and family at the hands of Madam Qi and partners. She bided her time to exact revenge and expose the real villains in the unsolved gold heist case.
Similarly, SA learned from her father/mentor. She witnessed the death of her family. She’s biding her time to clear their names and get justice.
But the main difference between SA and Qing is the killing. As Yan Chi pointed out. Qing sought vengeance; SA is seeking justice. SA didn’t want to see others suffer injustice like she did.
Anyway, why did all these performers have the same last name, QING? Is there some rule that performers have the same last name? Is it even their real last name? It was so confusing keeping track of them.
The original leaders of the troupe:
Qing Yun (Madam Qin) vs Qing Xi (who became Gen. Zhang’s wife)
The 2nd generation performers:
Qing Li (lost the troupe so blackmailed for money) vs Qing Huan (servant of Mrs Pang)