The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

Sorry this post came up a little late, I was away for a few days for the holidays. Hope everyone had a great one with plenty of new wonders for 2019. =)

Haven’t had a chance to watch this yet, hopefully, this weekend!

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  1. 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

    I love this drama so much. I have not even fast forward any part of it :))) Infact I kept rewatching the episodes while waiting for new ones to be uploaded on Youtube. ZLY nailed her character well here and of course I adore Ruolan as well. She is so damn cute and she played the brat so well. Molan makes me want to slap her hard. I love the costumes and am anticipating impatiently more episodes.

    • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

      I think they made RuLan less potent here lol and hence more lovable. I don’t remember liking her much in the novel 😊

      I have been watching religiously on the same day of airing..it’s confusing cos sometimes I need to watch three videos to properly see all the aired content lol.

      I think the story picked up a little…it’s nice seeing MingLan a little less passive and actually rebuff Molan. Oh and the doctor did show up…nice nice.

    • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

      I agree , love it. I also watched it over and over, she is so cute and that couple match. Waiting for new english scenes

  2. 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

    Finally some action when they start playing Polo.
    But what baffers me though, is how on earth Ming Lan was able to ride a horse? It only shows that she goes to school and not athletic, so if she doesn’t constantly exercise how can she have so much muscle and be stronger than the men (brother and the annoying girl’s brother)?
    There was a part when she was so young like a baby, and she can archery better than all the bigger boys too.
    I think her abilities are just going to keep showing up like this out of nowhere. Quite unrealistically.

  3. 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

    It was explained that Minglan’s mom taught her the dart game and her grandmother got her into horseriding. We see Rulan getting into gears prior to the event as well so I think it’s not unreasonable that the girls know how to play. It’s just that Minglan keeps a low profile since she lives with her grandmother so we aren’t privy to her entire education or lifestyle, just as Xiao Gong Ye was also surprised that she plays. However, in the novel she is much much more careful about showing her wits and abilities. Hubby Gu Tingye is practically the only one who knows of her pretension. So a Minglan who occasionally shows off is still a departure from the original character.

    Today’s eps were very satisfying. When Qi Heng told her he orchestrated the entire event and made sure to send the roundabout invitation to her sister’s family only with the hope to see her, because “you’ll eventually have to set foot out of the house, if not this outing, then the next, or the next, or the next. If not then Qiqiao, or Yuanxiao,” my heart breaks for the pureness that is Xiao Gong Ye. Wow, the emotions that threaten to spill from the screen *slow clap* they are really trying to kill me with 2nd lead syndrome

    • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

      I think earlier on, it was explained that Grandma had ML trained in every pursuits but they had to do it discreetly not to evoked jealousy from her two sisters. ML was thought the archery game by her mum but she was told not to show her skills and to remain low profile so they don’t get into trouble with concubine Lin and main wife.

      A pity that Qiheng (Xia Gong Ye) mum is such a snob and looked down on any family ranked below that of theirs. Which is not suprising for this era since it is all about family prestige and what not. GTY played his role as a rake very well and Qiheng played his love struck expression very well as well. I am beginning to really dislike Manniang who only wants to marry into the Gu family. I wonder how come GTY did not see through her when he could see ML’s very well. I like Hualan as well even though she did not appear that much on screen. We start seeing other ladies who are interested in Qiheng (at the polo game).

    • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

      Yes! QH and his confessions. I know ZYL is versatile, but my gosh, his expressions are on point here!

      I’m hoping to see more between QH and Minglan. The thing with Minglan right now is she can’t love freely. It is a mutual attraction, but she knows what stands in between them. It’s clear in Ep 17 when QH wanted to make her his first wife. It sounded nice right there, but Minglan knows it can’t happen. Oh, the possibilities…

      • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

        I also love Minglan’s subtleties here. She’s touched by QH’s confession. Notice in Ep 17 how she wanted to step towards him, but hesitated.

    • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

      I feel like Qi heng is a bit too inconsiderate though. I mean like he didnt try to understand ML situation at all. He is too spoiled. I like the Hu young master better lol GTY is a bit of puzzle to me, because he seems really smart, he knew about his 1st brother and cousins schemes, minglan hidden abilities but he seems blind about the step mom and his concubine schemes. This is a bit peculiar.

      • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

        Men are just blind to women’s wiles. Even He Hongwen can’t do anything about his foxy cousin Cao.

        I agree Qi Heng is naive but he is sincere. He really would’ve fought for her if she had returned his feelings, and wouldn’t have let her fall into ill repute like she’s saying. The problem is they are really mismatched in family background and life goals. Years later Minglan confessed that she didn’t reciprocate because he was too ambitious and she would’ve dragged him down. And that isn’t recipe for a happy marriage because when your in-laws already hate you, the last thing you need is your spouse’s resentment.

  4. 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

    Week 2 of Ming Lan has been pretty good!

    I like the convo between Big Wife and her servant where the former had mistakenly believed RuLan liked Xiao Gong Ye. Her servant described it quite well, if someone like the eldest daughter (smart and graceful) was getting bullied by her mother-in-law, how on earth would someone like RuLan survive in a family like Xiao Gong Ye’s? Even if XGY loved her, over time that would just get worn away. This was applicable to Ming Lan as well. The two of them are just not well-matched (however sweet they are together). Zhu Yi Long is really killing it in this role, XGY is just so precious. With a different actor I feel like he could have come across as annoying in how he doesn’t understand Ming Lan’s reservations about their relationship.

    Good to see Ming Lan starting to show her smarts and skills, with the polo game and handling of Manniang. Also love how she’s dealing with the servants from Big Wife and Little Wife, very subtle but effective.

    With Gu Ting Ye, I know he’s the main male lead but I don’t care about him yet lol. Him and Ming Lan publicly arguing at the restaurant/on the street felt a bit forced for a drama that has so far being strict on following social conventions at the time. (was it because the servants were around that made it ok??) But I guess we can’t go any longer with the two main leads barely interacting.

    My favourite characters are probably Big Wife and her kids, Ru Lan, 2nd brother, Hualan. GTY better step up in the next week and see through Manniang’s scheming nature!

    • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

      The actress for Manniang is getting typecast I think lol. She keeps playing these hateful or wily characters..i saw her in fuyao and now here… But she is good at it lol. Gty finally sees through her..is episode 20 still week 2?

      At least drama didn’t make Gty marry Xu second daughter…would’ve made him even less likeable

      • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

        Manniang was SO good as the scheming, green-tea mistress who vies for a place in the Gu family. That scene where she begged GTY to forgive her, pleaded with him desperately, then in the next moment, switched to vengeful, plotting expressions. Well-freaking-done! I actually felt her sorrow & even thought she was remorseful, until that last scene with her calculating eyes. This girl needs more opportunities playing other roles, not just hateful supporting character.

        • 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

          @Maymay and coralie:
          Yeah she’s doing pretty well in this role! Hated her in Legend of Dugu (similar type of character) but it helps that she’s using her own voice here which is way more natural and green-tea mistress-like lol. I think the only likeable major role she’s had in recent years was in Xiao Shi Yi Lang – would be cool to see her play that sort of character again!

          Hmm I wonder if and how she’ll get GTY to take her back later on in the drama.

  5. 15 thoughts on “The Story of Ming Lan Discussion Post Week 2: Episodes 11 – 18

    Does anyone have an issue with GTY attending the match with the head of the local brothel? Maybe it bothers me because I know he end up with Ming but there is so much emphasis on his character change – is this not conflicting?

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