One couple is fine, two is suspicious, three is on purpose, four is I-know-what-you-did-there. They are merely riding along the current wave, hoping that the media only focuses on the big fish. Smart move. The conversation might go: “Honey, let’s admit to the public about our secret love?” “No! You’re crazy!” “Why not? Nicky Wu and Liu Shi Shi did it!!”
Partner’s response: 😀
Decided to do this feature to keep track of all the confirmed couples in 2013. Add if you know~
At this rate, I think every actor in Mainland China would have produced one drama in their career. It’s like an unwritten rule for starters. I hope they would tip me off, where should I dig and how much must I have for one production? 😀 Correct me if I’m wrong but Incisive Great Teacher is Nicky’s second production? First one was The Bride With White Hair, in which he also played the lead character. Have you ever wondered why an actor-turned-producer wants to play the lead in their own productions? Ruby Lin, Michelle Ye, Hawick Lau, etc… Are they unwilling to have someone else play their imagined role? My theory: Some actors are generous in allowing others to shine while others are hesitant to cast someone less famous/unknown. In that respect, we have to give Yu Zheng points for launching many stars to their celebrity status. That’s basically the only thing I admire about him. Wait, I lied, and his ability to take jokes about his own productions. I’m telling you, weibo is very fun if you know what fans are saying. 😛
Milking the cash cow, of course. And because you guys didn’t shed enough suicidal tears the first round. 😛 But why would you call it a sequel if the storyline screams I am not thy brother! Stop clinging!? Moreover, half the cast members are significantly missing. Might as well give it a fresh name. Kevin Cheng and Yuan Hong are busy laughing it off in Hua Xu Yin, with the former looking odd and sporting blue highlights. But the two are in talks for guest appearances, so yay? Han Dong is in almost every big productions but not here. After his dispute with Tangren, you won’t be seeing 14th Prince Lin Geng Xin either.
Note : Using the -D V D- for recap from Episode 16.
DVD Episode 16 Part 2
It is the night before the Mongolians leaves. Kangxi comments that it has been two months since Ruo Xi started the preparations and he is looking forward to the performance.
The area is darkened. Ruo Xi rings a bell and two rows of women drift across the sandy ground, holding two lamps each. The lamps are placed in front of the tables and 9th suddenly exclaims that he smells plum blossoms and wonders where they could have gotten plum flowers in such a remote region. Amazed murmurs is interrupted by another ring.
DVD Episode 16 Part 1
Note : Using the -D V D- for recap from Episode 15.
The Episode 16 recap has two parts. I will recap from the DVD version starting from now. I found the breaks in 40-episode TV version just too exasperating!
In the last recap (TV Ep15), Ruo Xi was telling herself that she has to prepared for the Mongolian contingent’s arrival. This scene starts about 8 minutes into DVD Episode 15. Which means there is almost two full episodes in today’s recap.
Camp is set and Yu Tan opens the window of the tea tent. She happily tells Ruo Xi that there is such a difference after leaving the Forbidden City and coming to the plains. The green grassland. The blue wide sky. Both is enough to invigorate her spirit.
Okaies, my -fascination- with BBJX has -not- faded despite a hiatus. I just spend another whole night watching all my favourite parts and weeping my tissue box clean. It was close call about whether my sleeve would end up soaking my tears before I reach over for a new box of kleenex.
Alice, someday I will get you so into a drama as well! Perhaps…
I actually made several headers for this episode just because there were so many crucial moments that both delighted me and infuriated me. But since there’s only one header and a footer, I chose my favourites.
Let’s rewind a little and remind ourselves about the snuff bottle. The happy little moment just after Ruo Xi’s self absorbed crisis in her romance with 8th.
Yu Tang gives her sworn sister a sly grin and asks why 4th send snuff to Ruo Xi. Ruo Xi says 4th had seen her when she was drenched and she guesses 4th worries that Ruo Xi might fall sick and be unable to serve his Emperor Father. She wonders if it will really help.
Yu Tang says they should try it. Ruo Xi immediately hands the bottle to Yu Tang. Yu Tang opens the cap and starts to sneeze. Ruo Xi giggles.
Yu Tang declares that it is definitely helping her and offers the snuff to Ruo Xi. Ruo Xi covers the bottle and says she will put it away and save it for Yu Tan. Yu Tang insists the other woman tries it as well.
In the last recap, We left the lovers at a terse moment.
Briefly, Ruo Xi asks 8th to give up his fight for the throne. He is shocked. She speaks of her love and her dream of their life together. He accuses Ruo Xi of being manipulative. 8th does not understand how his ambition was related to their live.
Ruo Xi responds, “If you agree, we will be together. If you don’t, then we will separate.”
The prince is furious and demands to know if everything she has said, sung and done had been been directed to her request that evening. Ruo Xi answers that her feelings towards him are real and sincere. She puts his hand against her chest and cries out, “You know I have you in my heart. You know it. You know it!”
With tears gleaming in his eyes, 8th wants to know why.
Watch 8th and Ruo Xi’s romance continue to flower against the Crown Prince’s all-out attempt to catch his brother in a rebellious act!
The episode reopens with the tender scene when Ruo Xi tends to 8th’s wound. The prince is madly in love and definitely amused by the shy woman sitting beside him. The scene also shows 8th’s powerful intuition and intellect as well as his deep understanding of the politics in the world he lives. It reveals his self confidence and his confusion about why Ruo Xi keeps her distance even though he is in her heart.
I will continue where I stopped in the Episode 12 recap.
8th tests his tea and expresses his desire that the water be boiling hot. He apologises to his servant, Bao Zhu for what he is about to ask the young man to do.