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abadpoetwithdreams · 7 years ago

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Nirvana in Fire Episode 10 Reaction

At last! Double digits!

Last episode ended with the Emperor pausing to consider a name. Shen Zhui? he asks his minister. Shen Zhui of Princess Qinghe's family? He is the temp Minister of Revenue? Yes, replies his minister. Cut to Mei Chang Su still deep in conversation with Prince Jing; he still looks cold, poor man. He, also, is talking about this Shen Zhui, asking Jing if Jing knows him. You sent me a message that day to spend time in Cumulus Cloud Restaurant, says Jing. How would I dare not to go? Since I went there, how could I not have noticed Shen Zhui?

Shen Zhui is the Vice Minister of Revenue, the department in charge of managing the national treasury. Under Lou Zhi Jing's leadership it has become wholly corrupt (gee, wonder why), and according to Su, this Shen Zhui is the only man he knows of who could turn things around. Jing says he gets along well with Shen Zhui, so that is all well and good, but Shen Zhui also does not support either of the Jerk Princes, so there is no way he will be promoted to Minister of Revenue. Su just smirks. When the snipe and the clam grapple, it is the fisherman who profits, he says, which is just a show-offy way of saying Don't worry, my dude, I got this. In this adage, who is the snipe and who is the clam, I wonder? CP seems more clam-like to me lol. Regardless, we all know who the fisherman is.

The Emperor is meanwhile musing about how he knows Shen Zhui, and the man is apparently a really good worker. Why, if he has already been acting as the temp Minister of Revenue, has he not simply been given the position permanently? He is accomplished, virtuous, and managing well, so what gives, why has no one nominated his name to the Emperor? Aha, says the Emperor, with dawning delight on his face: I have suddenly realized why he has not been suggested to me! It is because he must support neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Yu! And here we really see the damage the Emperor's quarreling sons have done to themselves, because I am pretty sure this neutral (aka pro-Jing) official is about to be promoted on the basis of NOT being allied to either of them, lol. Oh, the irony.

Prince Jing tells Su that Shen Zhui is lucky to benefit from Su's amazing strategy. Oh, Shen Zhui is the lucky one? Okay, Jing, if you want to play it like that. Sure. Su produces a piece of paper from his sleeve because he is literally magic. Or at least that is what I want to believe. He tells a confused Jing that the Emperor will allow Jing to choose three officials to help him run the trial. He has, however, only picked one so far. Thus Su has prepared a list of good names to choose from (since Jing himself admits he has been so long away from the capitol he simply does not know who to pick).

Meanwhile, Shen Zhui himself (I think, since he introduces himself as the director of the Ministry of Justice) has gone to the Information Bureau and is talking with Xia Dong. He tells her he has been sent by Prince Jing to collect any and all evidence the Bureau possesses.

Prince Jing is giving himself airs? Xia Dong asks coldly. He doesn't even show up for such a huge case? And ohhhh, yeah, I am reminded that this woman sort of--more than sort of--hates Jing, because he is a sympathizer towards the people who she (wrongly) holds responsible for her husband's death during The Event™. I foresee this being a big issue just in general in future episodes. But shoot, I like them both, though! It's really frustrating because they are both laser focused on their responsibilities and they both have very strict codes of conduct and morality that they adhere to, so they would be SUCH good allies! As it is, Xia Dong has the potential to be a major obstacle for all Su's scheming. Ugh.

Anyway, Xia Dong chooses to interpret Jing's actions as being insulting towards her Bureau, insulting Shen Zhui himself by saying he is also too minor an official. Shen Zhui assures her that is not Jing's intent: Jing is in charge of the trial and therefore also has to manage three offices involved, and the handling of evidence has always been the Ministry of Justice's duty (which is something you would think Xia Dong would know, but I can't tell if this is a case of for-audience-benefit-only infodumping or if she is deliberately ignoring that. I would like to assume the latter, as this show is usually pretty good about couching infodumping in pertinent and rational character interactions). Shen Zhui also gives as good as he gets, reminding Xia Dong that he is only a half-rank below and anyway the question of his rank is irrelevant since even a junior official, if given the judge's seal, is entitled to collect evidence.

Shen Zhui continues to outsass Xia Dong until she says Well, what if I just don't give you the evidence? Oh, come on, woman, don't be petty. Shen Zhui says that question is moot because she won't refuse the evidence, that would be a move unbefitting of the Intelligence Bureau. True that.

Jing, meanwhile, has read Mei Chang Su's list of names and is smiling a little wryly. Strange, he says. He spoke truly when he said he does not really know people in the six ministries. But he has met a few people seemingly by chance since he came back to the capitol, and bizarrely enough most of those people are on this list! What a raaaaaandom coincidence, Mr. Divine Talent! Su looks a little pleased with himself. Okay, a lot pleased. Su also tells Jing he doesn't have to go out immediately to recruit these people to his side, and when Jing comments that that is an unusual thing for a strategist to say, Su pauses and replies that, well, the sooner Jing builds a group of loyal followers, the sooner Prince Yu and the Crown Prince will recognize him as a threat. Good point. Furthermore, Su says, what is most important isn't the speed of how Jing gathers his group, it is the quality of men these supporters are. If Jing really wants to remain true to himself--something that is obviously very important, we have already seen time and time again--then it will be easiest for both him and Su if the allies he recruits are similarly good people. It will mean less hurting people and less scheming, Su says, as a reminder I think of that promise Jing drew out of him in their previous meeting: that he will hurt as few people as he possibly can on his quest to give Jing the throne.

Jing considers this with that bitter smile he too often gets, and replies that it will be hard for people like that (eg. people who are virtuous/not corrupt/not supported by the Jerk Princes) to reach the top, though. True, Su answers, but he hopes that Prince Jing can help change that, as these people are perfectly capable of running things, all they need is an opportunity.

Your highness can feel at ease to make friends with them sincerely, Su tells Jing. Leave it to me when the time comes to make use of them if needed. Aaaaaand there it is, the sad gut punch feeling. It's back. Jing does not look exactly happy about this, but he does not argue, either. He just looks . . . like he is thinking. Hard.

(In fact, Jing seems constantly thrown off-balance during this conversation, obviously he has his preconceptions about what strategists are like, and therefore what Su is like, and we know he hates that sort of person. But Mei Chang Su keeps surprising him and you can see Jing repeatedly pausing to re-evaluate this man and try to figure him out. And, in last episode as well as in this one, he seems like he is relenting towards him just a teeeeny bit, maybe even unconsciously. You are not going to figure him out, Jing. He doesn't want you to, the self-sacrificing fool.)

We cut to after the Sad Boy meeting has concluded, with Jing and Su walking out side by side. One of Jing's men runs up yelling their names, and I'm immediately like HERE IT IS WHAT HAS FEI LIU DONE. Su looks amused. Jing looks a bit alarmed. All three head towards the training field. Oh, and Jing mentions there is a beast that has been bothering people near the east suburbs, which must be that beast that was mentioned last episode, and I'm so confused because what the heck is this about??? Officials have come to borrow some of Jing's soldiers to help catch it or kill it or whatever. Su asks why this matters, which I agree with (though I will just go ahead and assume he knows exactly what is going on because stuff like this is always his fault anyway), and Jing says the issue is that Zhan Ying (who?) wants to catch the creature alive to find out what it is. Oh, okay. So definitely catch it, then. Huh. Su says if Jing does manage to catch it, make sure to let him take a look because he is curious. Sure, says Jing. Seriously what is going on.

Out at the training grounds, Fei Liu has apparently worked his way up the ranks to duel the commander (Actually I forget his actual rank so I’ll just say commander and if I’m wrong then whatever I just remember he is higher up ish) that was so huffy at him to begin with. I like to think this means he has methodically defeated Jing's entire army bit by bit during the time it took Su to have a chat and drink some tea. They start fighting right when Su and Jing show up to watch, and Fei Liu immediately blocks and catches his opponent's attack but instead of just demolishing him then and there he just holds him still so he can admire his opponent's sword, lollllll he is still a baby troll yet but he is learning from the best. I loved this fight. Super humorous and the emoting of the actors throughout the choreography was great, the kid who plays Fei Liu was maybe the most animated I've seen him play the character so far. Su is enjoying watching: I rarely see Fei Liu enjoy himself this much, he tells Jing. Then the commander flicks a secret switch on his sword that makes it fling a batarang at Fei Liu basically lol but Fei Liu is NOT to be played with and he just catches it out of the air and looks really excited, like he has just found the best toy EVER. Watch out, man, he is totally gonna take your sword home with him.

But then the commander notices Su Zhe is watching, and so he pulls a dirty trick and shoots another small blade--but this time he is aiming at Su, not at Fei Liu. Booooooooooo. All Fei Liu's delight turns to panic in an instant, and he races through the air to catch up with the blade because physics? What physics???? I don't thiiiink he manages to catch it but also I lost track of the blade in the air so idk. I think it just missed. Su is fine, though, didn't even blink, because deep down he's a super awesome warrior with nerves of steel that's why.

Fei Liu whips a look of pure rage towards Jing's oblivious commander, who is laughing heartily as he cheekily calls out to the poor scholar who he thinks he just frightened: Sorry about that, it was a mistake! You must have been shocked, having never seen weapons before since you're just a feeble scholar chap, ohoho! Oh, bro. Bro, nooooo. Su is absolutely stonefaced, as is Jing, and slowwwwwwwly this commander realizes that what he just did wasn't a joke. It wasn't a joke at all. He tries to apologize for real this time, but it is too late. Also Fei Liu was totally going to break his neck but Su stopped him.

Su icily tells Jing’s man that he doesn't owe Su an apology; he owes one to Jing, his commanding officer who he just shamed with his rash actions and lack of respect. I actually feel sorry for this soldier as he visibly shrinks during this whole scene, he only wanted to defend Jing's honor after all, but by doing so he gave into pride and ended up embarrassing him instead. Poor man. Su is absolutely merciless. It's kind of cool to see him being so relentless because usually he plays coy in his interactions with people. But I still feel bad for the commander because he obviously loves Jing, he was just sort of an idiot about it.

I have long looked up to Your Highness' disciplining of the army, Su tells a VERY upset-looking Jing, but I am greatly disappointed by what I have witnessed today. Army discipline is so lax. How could they be favoured by His Majesty? It seems that Your Highness' presence in the army isn't even that of a pugilistic lord like me.

Jing's general legit looks like he is about to cry by this point. He drops to his knees and begs for Jing to punish him, poor man. This has been eye-opening for me, Su tells Jing, and then he swans out like the troll he is. Su, shut upppp, they get it already. Fei Liu goes with him. I feel really bad for Ting Sheng who is still standing there just watching this all go down lol I hope he doesn’t feel any of it is his fault.

That guy who first told Jing and Su something was happening on the training grounds tries to intervene on the shamed general's behalf, telling Jing to calm down and not be so furious, because the men realize what they have done wrong. Heck yeah they do, Lin Shu chewed them out good. But he also sort of set them up so idk.

But Jing will NOT be calmed down. He is livid. Qi Meng disregarded military regulations and offended his superior, he says. He is to be beaten 50 strokes and demoted to centurion. DUDE, that is harsh. And then he storms away, with cute little Ting Sheng running after him like a puppy. I kind of want more scenes of the two of them together because I bet they would be adorable, I don't think we have ever seen Jing and Ting Sheng alone together yet? Poor Jing, what a bad day. First he embarrassed himself in front of the Divine Talent by yelling at him about touching the bow, and now he embarrassed himself further via his army misbehaving. Don't beat yourself up, Jing, you're trying. Why do you even care what Mei Chang Su thinks of you, anyway, hm? HMMMMMM???

Cut to some time later, probably the next day or so? Jing is receiving the official Imperial orders to judge the Duke of Qing's case. He is still accompanied by that soldier of his that we have seen a few times now, with the fabulous orange collar to his armor, but I don't know the guy's name, or at least don't remember? Jing has him call out the name of all the officials who are to help with the case, but they are all lower officers and he deliberately snubs Minister Qi, Yu's ally in the Ministry of Justice, by not naming him ahahaha. Qi looks outraged, but has to try to play nice because Yu told him to, remember. Ah, delicious. Furthermore, Jing is going to hold the actual trial in the Ministry of Justice. He knows exactly what he is doing. But he also doesn't look very happy about it; I can't imagine he is having much fun with this job.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhui has been officially called to audience with the Emperor, so he IS getting that job! Crown Prince isn't happy about it, complaining to the Marquis that Shen Zhui has been remarkably lucky, and that he guesses he has been too argumentative with Yu lately, since the Emperor went out of his way to pick someone neutral for the position. The Marquis muses in his slow and creepy way that yes, that is true, but also points out how Yu and CP's losses have been equally balanced (like we went over last ep). The Marquis is DANGEROUS, guys.

CP is surprised to hear this, but then admits that come to think of it Yu was uncharacteristically okay with throwing his ally under the bus, so to speak; it was strange that he didn't fight to save the Duke. He stops, eyes widening. Why do I think that it's Mei Chang Su who came up with this idea? he exclaims in rising anger. Oh CP, you are so obsessed with our MCS. He turns on the Marquis: Frankly speaking, why can't you even get rid of a frail and delicate man? LOL AIN'T THAT THE QUESTION.

Marquis finally lifts his gaze to look at CP. He tells CP that Su might be frail, but he is always surrounded by incredibly skilled warriors, so they haven't been able to get to him. Seriously, how many of his men has he lost to Fei Liu and the other guards Su has by now? CP is not appeased: Don't we have our own men in the pugilistic world?

Your Highness, the Marquis says, very flatly, Tian Quan Manor and East Yangtze Alliance are not quite exactly of the same status. Understatement of the year.

You see? Frets CP. This is also what makes me inferior to Yu. He has the East Yangtze Alliance and I only have Tian Quan Manor. The Marquis looks like he is deeeeeply considering something, and he certainly doesn't look happy to hear this, but I wonder if he suspects that Su is just playing Yu. He does seem suspicious, anyway. He is too smart.

And now we cut to . . . a farmer pulling a vegetable cart through the city streets? Eh? But lo and behold--the farmer is actually one of Su's men in disguise, a guy named Tong Lu. He goes undercover to Su's mansion and drops to his knees before our boy in utmost reverence. I love how everyone in the Alliance just absolutely worships Su??? It's so cute???? But also, like, relatable

Su tells him to get up and also that Mr. Shisan and I will rely on you to keep us in contact. Oh, cool, so undercover vegetable man is basically a telephone between Su and Shisan, the spymaster at that music house with the weird stalker girl. I remember him. Tong Lu says he won't fail. He'd better not, is all.

In gentler tones, Su informs Tong Lu that Lou Zhi Jing is imprisoned, and will definitely be executed. Write home to your mother to inform her of this news, he says. Tong Lu bows in thanks: You have avenged the death of my younger sister, he says. OH WAS HIS SISTER ONE OF THE MURDER WELL GIRLS? That would certainly explain his loyalty to Su!

Li Gang elaborates: Lou Zhi Jing had the Crown Prince backing him up. If Lord Mei had not made great effort to come up with this plan, those innocent souls would have been buried deep down in the well forever. Su looks sort of happy listening to this; he has done a Good Thing. No matter what Questionable Things he has done and will have to do to see his own vengeance realized, here at least he has done Good.

I guess this also answers my question from earlier about how the heck Su knew about the dead girls in the well! It's very cool when this show ties loose ends like that, it is so smooth about it. Tong Lu says he had not expected Lou Zhi Jing to be taken down so quickly, and Su actually apologizes for taking so long: we had to wait for the right time. I hope that your family won't blame me for doing so. Tong Lu kneels again, almost in tears: on the contrary, he and his family are sooooo grateful. Ugh, okay FINE I guess this was worth tricking Jing Rui and Yu Jin into that corpse well. Maybe. I still wish Su had somehow managed to make Yu the one who fell in and found them instead but I guess that is asking too much of even the Divine Talent, lololol

Cut to Mei Chang Su alone in his study later, poring over those wooden tiles we have seen once before, the ones with all the names of the ministers on them. He looks so TIRED :(

Li Gang comes in: You asked to see me? He says. Su looks up, a little more animated. We have already finished with the Orchid Garden case, he says, and the Metropolitan Government Office must be calm now. It's about time to send Gao Sheng another case, he says, LOL poor Gao Sheng. Su invites Li Gang to flip over a tile, as he has now arranged them all in a line facedown. Hesitantly, with a little impatient prodding from Su, Li Gang does: he has flipped the Ministry of Personnel. PRINCE YU’S Ministry of Personnel, he says, meaningfully. Ok so it seems to me like taking down another one of CP's Ministries would make more sense at this point, since CP is already convinced Su is out to get him and Yu right now thinks Su is on his side, but you do you, Mei Chang Su. You wanted to throw random chance into the mix of all your plotting? Fine, then. Su does look a bit troubled and immediately drops into Deep Thought. ALSO! His hand fidgeting is back again, so I guess that IS a tell for when he is thinking??? After a moment he signals Li Gang, still deep in thought, and tells him to Have Shisan and Gong Yu make some preparations. HMMMMMMM. I don't like getting Gong Yu more involved, she still bothers me for reasons unknown.

Cut to a montage of a couple of courtesan girls putting on their ancient Chinese makeup, which is pretty cool. I've watched a video about this makeup before and I like the lipstick papers. Theres some voiceover that makes it seem like they are out to get someone, and again they are motivated by vengeance. Su has gathered a lot of vengeance-seeking people on his team, which I guess makes sense but it's another level of cool to see how he is managing to give all these other people closure even as he seeks his own. One of the girls' voiceover says their younger brother was killed at the age of thirteen by some rich kid and since they were poor the family never got justice. Qiu Ze is the name of the murderer. Going by Su's track record, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Qiu Ze is about to get into a LOT of trouble.

The scene thus set, we drop back into the action as a new customer arrives at a pleasure house, where the lady in charge is trying to tell him the girls he wants--Xin Liu and Xin Yang, so I guess they are the sisters--are ill and therefore unavailable. Nonsense, this Master He says: If any of his wives or maids were to annoy him he would beat them to death! You want to try him by saying no now? Wow, what a charmer he is. And there is Gong Yu, intercepting him on the stairs seemingly by chance. He is astonished and asks her why she is in this brothel instead of Heavenly Music House. She replies that she was visiting the ill twins. The story the brothel madame was telling him being seemingly confirmed, He gives up on the twins and instead tries to persuade Gong Yu to drink with him. To his shock, she agrees, merely asking him to wait while she changes clothing.

While she changes, Gong Yu chats with the girl helping her. I heard that Miss Xin Liu and Miss Xin Yang were upstairs with Master Qiu right now, the girl says MOST innocently. Exactly, Gong Yu says, ALSO TOTALLY INNOCENTLY. Young Master Qiu is handsome and dashing. He is really compatible with both sisters. I'm so happy for them. The girl helping Gong Yu is like Wow, you must be a saint, saying you are happy for them while you have to put up with that AWFUL Master He, what a loser he is. Oh, yes, it is a trial, Gong Yu agrees, but sisters should help each other, after all. That Young Master He has been vying with Young Master Qiu for years. He thinks too highly of himself. Master Qiu should teach him a lesson. And while these girls are loudly, innocently gossiping, Gong Yu's got the most wonderfully calculating expression, as she keeps looking at the wall where she knows that Master He is eavesdropping and growing more and more enraged. At this point, he storms off, and YUP, HERE WE GO. Gao Sheng, I hope your calendar is clear because I have a Bad Feeling About This.

Sure enough, He grabs his men and starts tearing the brothel apart hunting for Qiu. The sight of him repeatedly busting down the doors of private rooms, yelling It's none of your business! at the startled people inside, and storming to the next one was hilarious to me. Gong Yu silently stalks after him, the only calm person in the entire brothel by this point. Oh, and this is a spectacular set, by the way, there's a few long tracking shots wherein people walk down halls and up stairs and things and so that is pretty cool. We don't get many long tracking shots in this show, so that stood out. How many of these sets did they build specifcally for this show and how many are reused from other productions a la BBC, I wonder? I also wonder about that about costumes. Hm.

Anyways, to get back to the actual plot, He finally smashes into a room where he finds Qiu and the twins who want Qiu dead all sitting together. Well, that does not bode well for either man. As both have been established as being scum of the earth, however, I do not feel very badly for either of them. He charges in and attacks the confused Qiu, and they start brawling while the twins implore them to stop in very convincing distress. At one point they beg He not to fight anymore and not to break anything, and he responds with I'll pay for it! and charges back towards Qiu, which made me laugh. What a loser.

He snatches up a very expensive and heavy-looking vase, and Gong Yu calmly steps into the doorway and flicks a small object of some kind--a disc or something--into the back of Qiu's leg as he tries to stagger up to meet the attack. The result is that Qiu falls down, and the enraged He, seizing his advantage, brings the vase down on He's head so hard the vase shatters. He freezes, shocked--he did not mean to kill Qiu! But that is definitely what he did, as Qiu slumps over with blood running down his face. The twins start screaming about how Master He killed him! and He runs out in a panic as an even greater uproar starts up. Gong Yu makes eye contact with the twins and just nods at them like there you go, and the twins nod back. Justice is done, and Su's plans move forward.

It is morning, and we move to Prince Yu's manor. Ohhhhh, dear. Yu is doing the Ancient Fantasy China version of rushing out of his bedroom with his robe hastily thrown on, asking his servant what on earth is the matter. He finds out soon enough: an old man is kneeling in supplication at his door, crying. This is old Master He, as opposed to young Master He who killed Qiu the night before. Master He instantly starts bawling, wailing almost incoherently about how he only has one heir, his only son, and help him help him help him. I feel sort of sorry for him. But he did raise his son to be a major tool, so you reap what you sow I suppose.

We cut to a little later, and Master He has managed to explain the situation to Yu but he is still crying. To his credit he does admit he raised his son badly, but then he also says that he needs Yu to help save him anyway because he is his only son, and furthermore old Master He's mother adores her grandson and spoils him rotten so if he were to be imprisoned or executed SHE might die of distress as well. Yu is cross. It would be fine if he killed a commoner, he exclaims exasperatedly and WOW, YU, JUST WOW, but he killed Baron Wen Yuan's son! This Baron Wen Yuan is an important man of important lineage and so Yu is saying he cannot cover up the murder. If he did, Baron Wen Yuan would have the right and the connections to report obstruction of justice to the Emperor himself, and no way is Yu about to let that happen to himself. Master He considers this and then just hurries to bow and beg some more (the way Yu is increasingly eager to stop this man begging and sobbing at him is so funny. Every time He starts sobbing Yu is just oh no, not again He can't take it), saying Wen Yuan isn't even a brave man, he probably wouldn't do anything. Oh no? Counters Yu. YOUR SON JUST KILLED HIS SON. That is enough to make even the timidest man wild for justice to be served. Master He, stumped, just starts crying again. He is very pathetic and sad. Also, when Yu tries to calm him by asking What's the hurry, he says Gao Sheng has already sent some men to arrest his son this morning.

Cut to those men standing awkwardly outside of He's manor because no one will let them in, lol. They don't have authority to break in to make the arrest since He is such an important official, so they are just stuck demanding that young He comes out. Which I'm just gonna go ahead and say will NEVER happen. But they keep calling out his arrest warrant VERY loudly and gather quite a crowd of spectators and it is all very uncomfortable.

Yu tells old He to give up his son to be arrested and tried for murder. Wait, what?? He explains that Gao Sheng is not going to want to spend a lot of time on this case (which, from what we know of him, I'm going to say is very true), so if He is cooperative with him instead of trying to make his life difficult, he will be grateful to He and close the case quickly. Meanwhile, Yu's team can make sure there is enough confusion of evidence and such that the closed case will be transferred to the Ministry of Justice for review, where of course Yu's ally Minister Qi holds power! And in the review process Qi can throw out the case or acquit or whatever. Problem solved. This was very intereresting, it reinforces the impression I have that Yu is more dangerous to play with than CP is; the Marquis might have come up with a similar long con plan to save He's son but there is no way under heaven that CP would have. Nope. Also such a patient plan with chess-like foresight reminds me of our Divine Talent's plotting, so you just KNOW he is aware this is what Yu should do, so I'm sure he has a contingency to sink their boat anyway. I just wonder what it is!

So Gao Sheng gets the report that He Wen Xin--young He--has in fact been arrested. Gao Sheng is not cheered by this, as he complains what is he supposed to do about this case? He only barely extricated himself from the case involving Lou Zhi Jing, one of CP's biggest supporters, and now he has to deal with a murder case involving the son of He Jing Zhong, one of Yu's important allies? Poor Gao Sheng, he just can't win! I have already offended the two most powerful princes in a row with two big cases, Gao Sheng says glumly. It seems that I might not stay Metropolitan Governer for long. His officer tries to tell him to cheer up beause New Year is soon and maybe his new year wiill be nicer. Yeah, I doubt it. Gao Sheng is not impressed by this attempt at comfort.

We now have a time jump! It is a few weeks later and dead Qiu's dad is hounding Minister Qi about why hasn't He Wen Xin been punished yet??? Qi tries to make the excuse that there is still a lot of paperwork for the Duke of Qing case, so they are trying to move as fast as they can on He's trial but they are unavoidably delayed. Wen Yuan is NOT having it. He immediately counters with how they somehow managed to close the Orchid Garden case really fast (hey there, Jing the efficient judge) and that was a very complicated and old case, but somehow this straightforward murder case with many witnesses from only a few weeks ago is taking them forever? It makes no sense. Qi blusters some nonsense about um your son's case isn't simple either bye and scuttles away as fast as he can, leaving behind a very irate baron.

Cut to: Mei Chang Su, looking as handsome as ever in his blue toned robes! He is being visited by the Good Boy Duo, Yu Jin and Jing Rui! YAYY WELCOME BACK BOYS. Yu Jin is admiring the zither in Su's room, while Jing Rui is pacing back and forth in the courtyard. He is clearly still very upset about the whole assassination attempt thing. Also Su is watching Jing Rui pace and I can't decide why but it makes me worry. Does he feel guilty, or is he just bracing for step two of whatever plan he has for Jing Rui?

Su suddenly asks Yu Jin Has Jing Rui been sulky lately? Yu Jin, usually so smiley, sobers a little as he comes to sit with Su. Yes, he has, he admits. And Jing Rui hasn't been able to get out to take his mind off whatever is bothering him because it is so cold and snowy. Oh, but that reminds him! Su, it is perfect weather for hot springs, do you wanna go? The best one belongs to Prince Supreme Ji. (Prince Supreme--so this means Ji is brother to the Emperor?) Anyway Prince Supreme told Yu Jin to come with friends whenever he likes, so Yu Jin is extending an invitation to Su because he is the Sweetest Soul. Su declines, but has some questions about the Prince Supreme. Is Ji the Emperor's youngest brother and uncle to the princes? That's him! Yu Jin says brightly. Oh cool, so I was right, he is a brother to the Emperor. Su looks amused while he listens to Yu Jin's analysis of Prince Supreme Ji's character. Brother Su, you really should get to know him, Yu Jin says cheerfully. Su just smiles.

Meanwhile, Jing has been summoned to the Emperor, along with the officials he had help him with the Duke of Qing's case. Jing tells his father that the case is concluded, wanting only the Emperor's final verdict. The findings are handed over: Jing has found the Duke and all accused guilty and they are to be executed, their properties confiscated, and their family lines basically ended. The Emperor reads through the report and is very impressed: *Who wrote this?* The director of the Ministry of Justice, Cai Quan, Jing replies.Cai Quan bows, and the Emperor compliments his work. Jingyan, you have also done quite well, the Emperor says, leaning forward: Aim to finish on a steady note. What is this??? Actual praise????? From the EMPEROR???? For JING????? Su's plans have just inched forward a bit. Prince Yu, who has been standing by and watching, chimes in to say Yep, good work Jing, great handling of the case! Jing doesn't even look at him, but the Emperor is pleased. You too have acted very maturely, he tells Yu. Among all my sons you are the most prudent one who places general interests first and oh come ON you have GOT to be joking. Yu? The most unselfish and the one who places general interests first? This Emperor is literally blind. He asks Yu if reports that Yu helped Jing with the trial are true? Well, Yu says oh so modestly, I was worried he was unused to working with the Ministry of Justice, so I helped him a bit, yes. You are such a saint, says this stupid Emperor, and then he gives freaking YU a load of gifts again JUST like when he stole Jing's credit for saving Ni Huang you guyyyyysssssss I'm so mad. This whole scene the camera keeps cutting to show Jing impassively watching this and it just isn't FAIR lol. But that is why we need Mei Chang Su. Jing really would be helpless on his own, scenes like this make it very obvious.

Yu makes a massive bow of thanks and Cai Quan steps forward looking like he wants to protest about how unfair this is, but a sharp look from Jing has him stepping back, looking unhappy but silent. And just like that, I love Cai Quan. Also just LOOK at Yu's robe, my gosh, he and Jing always have my favorite costumes and the gold embroidery on Yu's sleeves is out of this world beautiful. He is such a peacock.

As Jing and his team leave the palace, Cai Quan finally can speak his mind. He complains about how Jing worked hard day and night and concluded the case perfectly, and yet all he got was faint praise while Yu was showered with gifts and all he did was not meddle in [the case] LOL

Forget it, Jing says. It has always been so. Why bother getting angry? The inherent nobility of such an answer, as well as the blatant evidence of the unfair Imperial bias against Jing, is definitely going to leave an impression on Jing's team of officials here. Jing has just won some friends, whether or not he knows it. Su is so clever.

Jingyan! Wait! comes a call from back up the stairs. Oh great, it is Yu. He runs with mincing little steps down the stairs (and bravo to the actor for managing to run at all in those skirts, a fall would HURT and it looks very difficult lol) to meet Jing, who turns to meet him with a very longsuffering air. Yu is all smiles, almost puppyish in his eagerness to seize on the moment and work on befriending Jing like Su told him to LOL. Hey, don't be bothered by what happened, the Emperor totally means to give you presents AFTER the case is officially closed, is all, he tells Jing. And after a moment of slightly uncomfortable silence: Oh, and I didn't deserve the presents I got, either, I did nothing. Why don't I send the Emperor's gifts over to your manor instead? Jing's expression as he watches this fawning display is cold, cold, cold amusement. You're too polite, brother, he says. I only specialize in war. I have no need for those items. Surely my sisters-in-law would like them? Yu counters. Um, says Jing, I have only one wife, so nah. Now is there anything else you want to say or can I go?

I LOVE this. It is sooooo nice to see Jing have the upper hand in a conversation for once. Also! The camerawork! This talk is shot with the red carpet on the stairs cutting diagonally across the screen so Jing in his pale robe is backed by the stone steps, and peacock Yu in his ostentatious red and gold is backed by the royal red carpet. GORGEOUS. It's the pugilist vs the politician represented both in the characters and in their surroundings. I love it so much.

Yu looks a bit frustrated but rallies. Yeah, hey, since we are talking, I want to remind you about my New Year's party at my manor! You should come this year, instead of staying away like you always do! And Jing raises one of his perfect, perfect eyebrows: You invited me? he says, sarcasm absolutely dripping from his tone and expression. Ahaaahahahaha. Yu valiantly tries to cover: whaaaat, you never receieved your invitations? Wow, my servants are so inept. Wow. I’ll have to punish them for not delivering your definitely real invitations. How about this: I will deliver your invitation in PERSON this year. Please come, Jing, pleeeeease? Okay, fine, says Jing, and with that he makes his escape. Yu watches him go with an I sure hope all this hassle is worth it, Mei Chang Su look on his face.

Cut to Banruo enjoying some tea while a girl hurries in with news. News about He Wen Xin's brothel murder case. What information have Banruo's spies uncovered???

Cut to Yu Jin and Jing Rui out with Supreme Prince Ji, enjoying some women dancing and women playing musical instruments and women serving them tea and, yknow. All that good stuff. Yu Jin, at least, looks cheerful. Jing Rui still looks very pale and depressed, though he makes an effort to brighten up when Ji brings it up. Oh, poor boy. I love Jing Rui so much, and I know I say that about way too many characters, but it is still true. He is just so good and I want him to be happy and safe. I feel like this is a losing battle I am fighting, but I will keep wanting it anyway and the show will have to prise it from my emotions’ cold, dead fingers.

(Btw, shoutout to that girl who is smiling and gamely massaging one of Ji's arms throughout this entire scene. That would be really hard to keep up for multiple takes, lol, its little details like that and the depth even the extras provide to each scene that is part of why this show is so amazing. The show didn’t NEED a girl massaging his arm there, but her presence is the perfect Show Not Tell insight into Ji’s character. I see you, unsung heroine! Good job)

Ji comes across as jolly, sensual, and generally harmless, but I could be wrong on the last bit. Anyway he likes brothels and pleasure houses and whatever sooooo yay him? Yu Jin mentions how Gong Yu is an unparalleled musician so I guess she is famous. Ji gets melancholy as he remembers the ongoing murder trial about the death at the Willow Heart. Both Xin Liu and Xin Yang won't be able to perform dances anytime soon, he complains, and then he starts crying. Yep, he is a man-baby. And I thiiiiink those were the names of the twins, if I remember correctly.

Oh yes, speaking of that murder trial, says Yu Jin, hurriedly trying to move the conversation along, why hasn't He been sentenced or acquitted yet?? Is he guilty or isn't he?? Oh, he is definitely guilty, says Supreme Prince Ji. I witnessed it with my own eyes!

Yu Jin and Jing Rui look shocked, and that is the end of the episode! This was another setup episode mainly but there was a LOT of set up. I was so happy to see Yu Jin and Jing Rui again, even though I'm still majorly worried about Jing Rui. Missed Meng this episode--and Ni Huang! Where has she gotten to?! And Mu Qing! And basically ALL the women at the palace, and the Princess Supreme . . . UGH so many good characters, I don't even realize any are missing while the episode is playing, but after I am like heyyyy but what about my OTHER faves? I swore I wouldn't get attached, and now look at me. Pathetic.

On the other hand I am DELIGHTED Jing has stepped back into the forefront of the action. His friendship--or, well, partnership anyway but there is a weird tentative friendship mayyyybe starting there however cautiously--with Mei Chang Su has given him a position of power over the oblivious Prince Yu that is just so much fun. May it last a long time. Speaking of that potential friendship between Su and Jing, I'm fascinated to see it progress, because of course it is so imbalanced--Su knows exactly how to befriend Jing so he holds all the cards in their conversations together. As a master manipulator in general he must know how to manipulate his former best friend. But also Jing is a tough cookie. They are both so lonely, but I feel more for Jing's loneliness since at least Su has had an obsession to live for and focus on these past years; Jing has had nothing, and Su did manage to find allies while Jing has lived surrounded by people who hate him or look down on him. Bless Ni Huang for being there for him, I'm sure she has been vital in keeping him alive and sane.

Maybe the coolest thing about this episode, actually, was how it helped explain a little just how Su has gathered such a network of SUPER loyal secret friends. In plotting his own vengeance Su has recruited all these people who also seek impossible vengeance and he is using them and their wants to achieve his own. He is manipulating them like tools in his game, but at the same time he is working so hard to give them what they want, working to the point of exhaustion. He has seemed worryingly worn out these last couple of episodes. It is a very weird blend of compassion and cold self-interest, and ugh I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. I do beliieve, especially with this evidence, that he honestly does not want to use innocent people to hurt them. I just don't know if that is enough to save Jing Rui. Well, actually, all signs point to it definitely NOT being enough. Why, *Nirvana in Fire*, why.

Next up is episode 11! I can't WAIT to see how Su continues to ruin lives. And I also want Ni Huang back. And more Jing! Never leave me again, eyebrow prince.

#nirvana in fire #lang ya bang #badpoet watches nif #nif #nif ep10 #long post #badpoet watches #cdrama

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