episode 9 spoilers ahead

9/96!

I HAVE TO TAKE NOTES TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN THIS SHOW. IT IS ALMOST OVERWHELMING.

1.We open to Consort Yin (Virtuous Consort) who is speaking with her personal servants, admitting that she has been so distant from Consort Yang that it would make no sense to play up to her now. She continues to maintain that her greatest desire is to see her son (a sentiment that she has shared openly with Consort Wei and has impacted her desire to kill Wanyan, whom she seemed to believe would jeopardize this). Prince Qi is currently a commander in what I believe is the upper-to eastern prefectures.

2.In the very next scene, we see Prince Qi who has received a letter from Yin. Come to find out, her constant pining is a ruse as she AGAIN tells him to stay away from Chang'an and to fake an illness (it would make sense to keep him and his army away from the city in the event something bad happens and it also protects him from the schemes of others). With him is Yin Hongzhi, an advisor of sorts a family member to Yin. His health is not very good. We learn some cryptic info: Qi admits his mother does not know what he really wants, and Yin Hongzhi promises to give him what he wants on the final day of the Grand Assembly....

3.We go to (I believe) Minister Wei who speaks with his subordinates regarding the matter of the prince of Qi. They have a spy there, named as Quan Wanji, who reports that Yin Hongzhi's days are numbered. This is reassuring for him, as he feared Yin Hongzhi would exert authority over the prince to use the Qizhou army to instigate a rebellion and avenge many of his family members who were executed (including his father). He believes he is no longer a threat.

4.We then cut to Consort Yang who summons the concubines and tells them they are to select a fabric of their choosing and a new dress will be made. They are instructed to choose carefully since their clothing will impact fashion abroad (and likely the economy). Ru Yi encourages Xu Hui to wear the cloud brocade fabric because like her it is refined and tranquil, and Xu Hui tells her that she knows her too well. Xiao Q immediately claims the fabric as her own, mistaking it as Ru Yi's choice. Ru Yi provokes her, and Consort Yang watches (amused).

5.Consort Wei enters and immediately reprimands her niece for her behavior, much to her humiliation, and tells her she has no right to challenge a Jieyou, Xu Hui, as she is higher in rank and thus she has broken the rules of the harem and is punished to kneel for four hours. Wei then points out that Consort Yang is original as she, in the past, selected what the concubines would wear according to rank. She then whispers in Consort Yang's ear that she is (essentially) pretty board if she would allow the concubines to pick their own fabrics, encouraging discord. Before leaving she encourages the girls to work together and serve Consort Yang as they would her. Ri Yu boldly kneels in front of her and proclaims to do just that. Xu Hui neverously follows. This is a bold declaration of war.

6.Surprisingly, Ru Yi apologizes to Xiao Q. on her way out and tells her that she only meant to provoke her, not realizing she would be punished and tells her she owes her one (it seems that Xiao Q is perceived as little to no threat to the girls, and more of an annoying and at times entertaining bother)

7.In the next scene, we see Wei continues to meet with (I think) Prince Wu and they discuss plans to basically make the crown prince look bad (I think). Meanwhile the crown prince is practicing hard because he must reassert his authority, and he plans to do this by defeating his brother Prince Wu, who is skilled at swords. He complains that his father is deliberately making things hard for him because his injury means he will do poorly at polo ( I am losing my patience for him)

8.In the next scene, Consort Wei personally selects and styles Xiao's outfit for the Glass Banquet. It is a lovely outfit, and seems to convey power, being gold. She encourages Xiao to maintain her temper because their position is not secure; their Uncle is the only male family member they have at court, and although he holds a position of power he cannot make people bow to him instantly. She tells Xiao that she needs to take today as a lesson in learning to read the situation: currently Consort Yang has the upper hand however she can never be empress because of her Sui blood (historically, Consort Yang was in fact the princess and wife of Li Shimin's younger brother; he took her as his concubine when he became emperor). She tells her that she is young and the future of their clan rests on her (how much of this is b.s.?)

9.In the next scene, Consort Yin visits Consort Wei and they appear to be discussing checkers (which they are playing) but it is really a conversation about their plan moving forward. Esentially Consort Wei tells her that while her position may look weak, they are waiting for the right moment to strike and topple their enemies. Her question is whether or not Yin will choose to take her side or not as she carefully plans to take back power.

10.In the next scene, Ru Yi and Xu Hui are sitting before Consort Yang, they almost look like her daughters. Ru Yi is sophisticated and elegant, perhaps someone they could become. She scolds them for provoking a fight with Xiao Q. however Ru Yi is entranced by her beautiful fan (recall Consort Wei gave it to her). They apologize, and Consort Yang gives them the fabrics for their costumes. The cloud brocade for Xu Hui is there, and for Ru Yi she selected a lovely chrysanthemum on gold (this must be prophetic. I googled the meaning of this flower, and it symbolizes autumn and purity, because it rises out of mud to bloom). In a shocking move, she actually gives Ru Yi the fan she admires as a gift! (regifting in general is considered to be rude everywhere, but a gift from Consort Wei? That is begging for trouble!)(don't accept it! aww she accepted it....)

--We now officially have Team Yang---

11.Elsewhere, Consort Yin is trying to figure out her next move. She knows that the Wei clan is not going to quietly fade into obscurity it will take time to dismantle their power. She explains neither she nor Yang can be empress because they are descended from criminals. She believes this is a test for Consort Wei by the emperor, to see how capable she is.

12.Meanwhile, Xu Hui tries to convince Ru Yi to come with her to watch the princes train. The emperor might be there, and Xu Hui encourages her to again try to gain his attention (so refreshing in the harem!) Ru Yi chooses not to.

13.We cut to Crown Prince who is fencing. His servant tells him that Prince Wu will likely throw the match. This angers him. He challenges Wu, who concedes, then is able to provoke him to fight. He wins, but he is convinced he threw the fight. (For Wu, this could be a conundrum. If he wins, he has humiliated the crown prince. If he loses, he has humiliated him. This could be part of a greater plot to make the Crown prince seem ungracious) He tries to provoke him but Wu says 'Barking dogs have no bite' essentially that he is all talk, and the prince says he is not worthy of his reputation as a sword master. In the end, crown prince is able to provoke him to another fight after insulting his mother....

14.Elsewhere, Li Zhe (he has got to be roughly the same age as Ru Yi; remember, girls develop faster) (for reasons that make no sense and are very stupid) chooses to put a baby bird in its nest. He is then dangling from a branch. Ru Yi sees him, recognizes him as the kid from Yeting, and catches him (prophetic). She learns he is a prince and bows. Later, the two walk back and seem very close (like friends). They come across the princes fighting, and she tries to stop him but he grabs a sword and runs out to protect crown prince from what could be a killing blow. The sword bounces off and seems about to hit him....

-In order to fully understand this show I have done so much research in addition to taking notes to keep track of all of the plots! Crazy!

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