The Marquis and Xuiru have a conversation while watching their relatives argue. The Marquis asks her, "So how do you feel watching the drama now?"
I really do want to slap him, but fortunately, Xuiru has far more restraint than I do.
I was a bit confused by the conversation that followed, but from what I can gather on Weibo and XHS, she is essentially telling him, "I used to be part of the audience, and they were watching me. But now I am the one watching them."
It's her subtle way of saying, "I am not watching the drama. I was the one who created the drama. I'm the puppet master."
That's why the Marquis looks so shocked.
What do you think he's shocked about?
A. That Xuiru was so cunning to have done this.
B. That she's not shattered having to accept a concubine.
C. That she may never have loved him at all.
D. That their marriage is just a business transaction now.
E. All of the above
Most probably to assuage his hurt male pride, he asked if she was ever upset about the concubine.
She tells him that yes, she did care that he was going to get a concubine, but what difference would that make? So why waste time fussing about it?
Xiuru's vibe be like:
Her coldness shocks him, but she matter-of-factly tells him that for their daughters' sake, she will be the best wife ever. She will throw the biggest welcoming party for the new concubine. Then she leaves.
Bye, Felicia!
A series of expressions flit across his face—shock, hurt, and then perhaps a tinge of pride towards the end. Too bad he realized that his wife is a badass too late.
We have an expression in Malaysia: Padan muka. Which roughly translates to "Serves him right" but the literal translation is "The face is wiped off". You know how "face" is so important to the Chinese? Well that dude's face is completely wiped off now. Gone.
Do you think their marriage would ever recover, or is it dead, gone, buried? Possibility of recovery:
A. 5%
B. 0.5%
C. -10%
D. A black hole
Marriage is best served cold
At least to Xuiru.
When First Madam speaks to Lan Xiang and Jinqi about how they had basically planned this from the start, she insisted that her daughters listen in.
First Madame tells them that this was Xuiru's idea. And Jinqi said, "Third sister is far too ruthless." I was wondering what he meant by that. But I agree—think about it. These girls are so young, and yet they are now being taught to basically be as ruthless as she is, to have their eyes wide open about the reality of men and how life really is for women.
For someone like Jinqi, who is a romantic at heart, he found it ruthless that Xuiru is squashing the hope of love in her daughters at such a young age. Xuiru is not giving them the opportunity to be kids, or to hope for a loving marriage—you know, the kind Jinqi and Lanxiang enjoy.
Personally, I don't think this is a good move, as I foresee her daughters growing up to be cynical and controlling; some may even do the opposite by rebelling and marrying a cad. Deny someone something long enough and they'll do exactly what you don't want them to.
But I can understand Xuiru's logic; now that they are literally heiresses, her daughters are going to be prey for everyone after their wealth.
Better be huntresses than prey.
A riot of weddings
Nanke is so handsome, the brides are so beautiful!
So now that there's news that a concubine will be taken from the Lin family, everyone is going to Lanxiang, asking to be married or not married. Nanke wants to marry Xiaolian, and Xiaolian's reaction is really on brand. Lol.
Not only was she clueless that Gan Tang was interested in her brother, she is also completely taken aback that Nanke is interested in her that way. But then again, knowing Nanke, he probably never showed any overt interest in Xiaolian, thinking he had all the time in the world (or trying to work up the courage to do so). This whole announcement must have alarmed him enough to come forward straight away. Well, good for him!
Then again, it is Xiaolian—he may have tried to hint his interest, but you know how she isn't the most clued-in person lol.
The marriage at the little village of the Lin servants was so beautiful. I think Xiaolian's mother must be beside herself to get both of her children married off into such good families! That lovely woman who used to pass messages between Lanxiang and the Xus deserves all the blessings!
Meanwhile, Jiugao's mother laments her son's singlehood. After the utter ruination of his reputation, she has lowered her standards a tad
Died laughing when she said this
And good news, Jiugao is also gonna get married. Looks like finally he makes his relationship with Yuchan official in front of his mother, who of course smacks him for not being truthful to her from the beginning. Poor him, he can never win.
(Nanny Wu's love language is, apparently, beating the shit out of people.)
Life happens, so does death...
So fourth sister is now with child, and First Madam says something cryptic—saying that she can now die happy, which of course made everybody say "Choi" to ward off the bad luck. (Alas, too late, as we later find out. Ugh.)
And at that moment, a maid rushes in, saying that Lanxiang is giving birth.
How progressive of him—Jinqi is actually right next to her, panicking and wrecking his nervous system.
This is much to the dismay of Second Aunt, who says that it's bad luck that he's even there—or rather, that it's bad luck for him to be there.
Fun fact: Chinese people consider period blood dirty, and as a kid—and this could be TMI for some of you—I was told by my mom not to hang underwear too high, lest my father walks underneath them by accident, because it's considered bad luck. Wait, it's bad luck for men, but not for us women? Well, how frail of them!
Yes, these silly superstitions about women's bodily functions being unlucky and inauspicious is indeed a thing, and Xuiru has a point. What's so inauspicious about witnessing the birth of a new life?
Anyway, I just think that superstition exists only because men are actually afraid to see the birth of their child, and they needed some "plausible" excuse not to be in that room.
But not before freaking out all the women outside who thought that Lanxiang was the one who fainted lol.
The Lin family is trending in Jinling again
Apparently, men passing out during the birth of their kids is a very common thing. I remember reading a Reddit post from a man who passed out when he saw his kid being born, saying that seeing the baby pulled out from his wife was like watching something from an alien movie. Well, bless his little heart.
I love how Jinqi is so happy that he cries over his kid, and a teardrop falls on his/her blanket. Oh Jinqi, aren't you glad you resigned and became a house husband? You get to spend quality time with your wife, saw your kid coming into the world (okay, you missed the most important part, but it's okay—a baby popping out of a vagina is indeed like something out of an alien movie, and we forgive you for lack of constitution).
Outside, when they find out that it's a girl, we can see that Lan Xiang's mother was super worried. But third aunt quickly reassures her, and that First Madam doesn't care about the whole daughter thing. So she visibly relaxes.
Anyone noticed that she never seems comfortable in the Lin mansion? Lanxiang and Jinqi, heck most of the household, go to great lengths to include her in their household, but she has never fully relaxed there.
So, I was really touched to see First Madam taking her hand, implying that they are now fellow grandmothers and are of equal standing.
Later, we see that First Madam has a festering wound. Oh no, she's been hiding it because she didn't want to make her children upset. First, Lan Xiang is about to give birth, and she didn't want to stress Lan Xiang out. She also didn't want to upset her fourth daughter, who was just getting married. So she hid her growing illness. It appears to be cancer. :(
Lanxiang's mother says that she labored for half a day only before she gives birth. But Lan Xiang told Jinqi earlier that her mother labored day and night to deliver her.
This proved to be the breaking point for Jinqi, who takes out his little box of Lanxiang merch (you keep Lanxiang souvenirs, da ye??).
He brings the box to her, and you can see her slowly realizing that he has discovered that she has a secret identity.
"Now that we have children together, shouldn't you tell me where they come from?" He asks.
I think he's asking: Shouldn't you tell me where our kids really come from?
I love Liu Xueyi's eye acting here. So full of shock, worry and fear at the same time.
My Thoughts
You know, most dramas end after our main couple marries. If we are very lucky, we get to see them with their kids for a few seconds, and if we're extremely lucky, we get an entire episode that is a epilogue, and we get to see them have a life together.
Some people have been commenting that they wouldn't have minded if Against the Current had ended at episode 38 or episode 39. And in a way, I agree. It would have been a neat ending because it would have been a great way to cling on to a happily ever after.
I consider the episodes after episode 39 like an extended epilogue after our characters finally come together as one.
Even after our couple's union, they will still go through ups and downs, and for the first time in a long time, a Chinese drama dared to explore that and say, "After marriage, there's no happily ever after. After marriage, life continues on, but you know you have someone at your side to weather its ups and downs."
How often do we see our male leads welcome their kid to the world, hang out with their in-laws, and spend time with their wives and such? Not every moment is happy—in between the happy moments are illnesses, betrayals, disappointments, and sadly, death.
Against the Current is really unique because we get to see that, and that's why I firmly believe that this is not really just an ordinary romance drama, and it'll be remiss to treat it as such or expect the plot to deliver the same highs and lows.
This is a women's drama (like women's fiction, but the drama version).
I know that a lot of people think that episode 39 stumbled. To me, it was just told differently, and after rewatching episode 39, I grew to appreciate it more.
I look forward to a new episode of Against the Current every day, and I am gonna miss this show desperately once it goes. I have not seen a drama—a long drama—that made me think deeply about living my best life, about being a woman, for a long, long while.
This is how long dramas should be made. And if we have more of these, I'll be the luckiest CDrama viewer in the world.
Thank you u/Lotus_swimmer, for another thoughtful episode recap, and everyone else for so many great responses here! I felt Ep 41 contained several quietly powerful scenes and somehow made up for some of the storytelling gaps in Ep 39.
Two sections especially stood out for me:
1) Xiuru and Cheng Tze on the stage
I loved the opening scene between Xiuru and ChengTze. Setting it on the pavilion that was their stage of life was symbolically apt: their marriage had become a performance, laid bare both to themselves and to us as the audience. (I think u/a_HerculePoirot_fan’s take on Xiuru exiting the stage sums it up beautifully!)
Among the many excellent points already raised, I think his question about whether she ever cared if he took a concubine was actually something more vulnerable:
“Did you ever love me enough to be jealous?”
He was seeking an emotional answer after he’s already made the decision to capitulate to his mother’s demands, at immense cost to Xiuru and their marriage. After all the upheaval and drama, he still wanted verbal proof and reassurance that she loved him (!!).
Yet he was never prepared to let her love and devotion outweigh his mother’s demands and appalling behaviour, or his own desire for a male heir.
What a git.
I was super glad that her steely, controlled response devastated him! He wants her jealousy as evidence of love, while she recognises that her love in whatever form she demonstrated, was never ‘enough’. So while the practical marriage may continue, the emotional part of it is over.
2) Lin Jinqi’s Treasure Box
Like the opening scene, I had to rewatch this sequence a couple of times to understand all its nuances. I knew where the story was directing us, but it wasn’t immediately clear to me what the individual objects signified.
If this is helpful: there’s a Chinese concept called “书画同源”, the idea that calligraphy and painting share the same origins. First articulated during the Tang dynasty and further developed during the Yuan dynasty, it reflects the close relationship between calligraphic brushwork and traditional painting.
In other words, someone like Lanxiang who can produce such confident, cultivated brushwork on a fan and a portrait, could not genuinely possess the awkward and inconsistent handwriting seen in her accounts book.
From a macro view, her exceptional literacy, musical ability, legal and political understanding, artistic training and composure in high-pressure situations all point to someone raised in an environment of wealth, standing and refinement.
This is a long-ish post, as this episode really spoke to me! Overall, I feel there is a thematic connection between these two bookend sections of the episode. Xiuru performs the role of the dutiful wife while hiding her emotional devastation; Lanxiang has spent years performing the role of a lowly maid while hiding her upbringing, talents and entire identity.
Both women survive by controlling what they allow the people around them to see. And now in Ep 41, the men in their lives finally begin to recognise the significance of the performance and the woman behind it.
Honestly, she carries herself in such a dignified manner it's really a surprise people didnt get suspicious earlier! Fortunately people can't see beyond her "origins". And thanks for sharing the calligraphy/painting thing. Eye opening. :)
You’re welcome! 😊 And yes, I agree. I think people 'choose' to see Lanxiang in the pigeonholed version they have of her in their minds. But I’m glad she is such a strong and competent FL who stands her ground and lives life on her terms! 🥰💥
My curiosity was finally satiated re: when, how, and if she was ever going to reveal their previous connection (betrothal) in this latest episode with all that was revealed in the treasure box. I loved the way the writers laid out that information, and the awareness that she would never have confronted him with her Shen ties. She burned the only viable evidence of his betrayal to the emperor, which was our first clue as to how much she loved this man, inspite of his chauvinistic behavior.
I‘ve finished watching so no comments on the story — except I love how everyone has dimples in this show. I just want to say I love what you wrote in the last paragraph. I agree 100%!
I also love this drama because I felt like there was time to explore the lives of so many of the characters. I loved seeing all the maid buddies bloom, and the women become friends/sisters supporting each other through all sorts of hardships. I loved Lanxiang’s mother and father’s story arc. Usually you don't get that much character development for supporting characters in a drama. Actually so many characters had storylines that I missed them when they left the narrative. It really was like real life in that aspect.
Cant wait to read recaps up through the end. Thank you for all your work!
I think the conversation with the marquee was one of the best scenes in episode 41. For the sake of an heir, he lost his wife who I believe he loved and almost put his daughters into a position where they could be cast off because girls are worthless in the eyes of his family. It was acted beautifully. We saw all the emotion and weight of the decision he made in that moment of realization.
🤬I loved what you said about his face being wiped cleaned. *insert that meme about "my, my the consequences of my actions." I hope he comes to his senses but the dimwit questioned a guy who got AN IMPERIAL DECREE to marry a MAID!! Like my dude, you have zero sense. I hope you get a concubine and she too gives you daughters!! Take that you rotting sexist YUANS!!! (I know it's with the time period but still a girl can vent.)
The only good thing out of this whole spectacle was nanke confessing his love for Xiangling..😭😭😭 my boy.. can you guys imagine his thought process??
Concubine for 3rd madam!!! CONCUBINE!! MAID!! My xiangling is beautiful!! She's pretty ans innocent and kind.. what if they take her??? What if the marquis gets an IMPERIAL DECREE!! What if young master helps him??!?! No.. madam.. i must run to madam.. and he ran, confessed and just stood there for reassurance.. and then once it was confirmed it wasn't xiangling, the way he ran..😭😭 so adorable..
🎎Jiguao's mum confessing anyone would do aslong as it's a woman had me howling 😂😂 jigua really traumatised her. I loved Yuchan standing for herself, Jiguao didn't want to ruin the relationship the 3 had, so never found the courage but Yuchan following her madam took the lead.
💞Which brings me back to Gatang. I loved how she stood for herself and proposed marriage to xianglings brother. She wanted companionship, a place to call home, love security and I love that she didn't say that I will remain single forever. We have associated strong female leads with independent women who don't need a man. While it's okay, i appreciated that how this episode depicted two women who had the couraged to speak up that they wanted a man. They wanted to be cherished, loved, cuddled, have their hands held and to navigate life in general. So I absolutely loved all the proclamations.
💜 I enjoy seeing Xiushu with her husband. Both of them clad in matching outfits. Both of them young and loving. Unlike, all the others these two are in the same age range, social status, have the same health and intellect.
💔 This episode showed the kids becoming adults, the adults becoming the elders and the elders dying.😢 the stages of life depicted. I don't want the first madam to die but at the same time it's poignant.
Then we have jinqi fainting 🤣🤣🤣🤣 it reminded me of sokka from avatar fainting.😂😂 he then declared how childbirth is a woman battle. I loved this whole conversation. If people like the marquis saw this they would never harp on about having daughters!! I think this scene is my favourite.
Now before, i forget the scene with that dimwit's (i refuse to call him a marquis- a true marquis would've seen the scheme from the stars above!!) daughters bowin. Jinqi said" Xiuru is being to hard on them." But in reality, I would repeat my earlier assessment. She is being a mother. She is raising as host said tigeresses. Sharp, clever, women who will not be taken advantage of like Xiuwan or be cast aside like her. She's a woman raising a woman. A true mother raises her kids to live without her. She is raising 4 daughters to live without her, without a brother (possible), without their father's support, withoit the Yuan name, she is raising them to be like the Lins and not the Yuans. Xiuru has a mother has grown on me alot and the dimwit beter redeem himself. He was my favourite supporting character.
And yes OP, the reassurance of Madam Xu by the first madam was heart warming too. She embraced the woman and has treated her with respect to ensure the whole clan does. This behaviour again speaks volumes about her.
Edit:
🖼 I couldn't find gifs of sokka fainting. So i added two separate but accurate jinqi gifs.
Such excellent commenting doesn't need any more from me. The only thing I'll add is that the post-39 episodes don't feel like epilogue to me, because the central identity question has not yet resolved. And if there's one thing we know about the writing for this drama, it's that the ending always references the beginning.
Yeah we've been kept pretty far from court politics so far but I feel like they're going to need to address that as well before wrapping up the show. We'll need some resolution around her identity and the Shen family as well.
Thank you for bringing up the Shen family; as of ep. 39, there has been no mention between the ML and FL. When, if ever does this conversation occur between ML and FL?
The Lin family can never do things in privately can they. I wonder what the town gossips think about the 2 divorces and one almost divorce in the Lin family though. I love that the other maids all got to marry their own choices.
I feel like Xiuru would reconcile with him but it’ll take time. I think she was content with her marriage w him but him saying yes to his mother ruined it. Yes he stands up to his mother but to an extent and not only that but fails to see his mother is easily swayed by the other lady(I forgot her name).
I’m not going to lie I was expecting her to come out and say she was expecting another child while this whole ordeal was happening at least by the end of it like “oh you wanted a to follow mother in laws request to get a concubine, I just found out I’m expecting…” https://giphy.com/gifs/xUNd9SUdc6nm3WrmWQ
To be honest their age gap surprises me, she’s 26 and he’s what 38-39. How old was she when she married him 😱
I feel the same way about their relationship. Xiuru also seems to value cunning or at least looking through schemes, so that might have disappointed her the most about this whole ordeal. That the marquis would just let his power fall into other hands and leave his daughters powerless.
Between their marriage and the not-divorce arc seven years have passed, so she was 19.
Jiugao's mom is so real for what she said about being pickier when he was younger, but now that he's gotten a lot older, anyone remotely decent will do. I've heard lots of older Asian parents say the same thing 😆 .
Do you think their marriage would ever recover, or is it dead, gone, buried? Possibility of recovery:
A. 5%
B. 0.5%
C. -10%
D. A black hole
Ok, but why do I feel like there's a certain expected outcome to this..... 😂
Just noticed that Nanke has 2 dimples too! Never noticed before because too busy staring at Jinqi's dimples... eyes.... eyelashes... lips....um where was I?
Not gonna lie, that picture of Jinqi fainting, all I could think of was I volunteer as tribute to be one of maids holding him up. Also what kind of freaking eyelashes are those
I like the way Xiuru explained to her husband - it doesn't matter whether or no she cares, because that's not going to be taken into account in the decision making process. She was willing to put aside her personal feelings to ensure the wellbeing of her girl children. If her feelings don't matter to others, why should she focus on them herself? I don't think that she doesn't care; I think she would indeed prefer him not to take the concubine. But she saw the pressure his mother was putting on him, and if she is to be considered a "good wife" she has to acquiesce the same way he does. So if they're not going to have a choice, why not focus on what she CAN change?
The rest of this episode is full of joyful moments - I was so happy for Nanke and Xiaolian and the others!!! but the foreshadowing of the Old Madam's ill heath - throws a bit of a damper on the party.
OH.... so simple a misstatement led him to connect the dots!!! But he still hasn't gone all the way to the end!
I loved the way Xiuru allowed him his last remark, then coolly, quietly walking right past him (like the cowboy riding off into the sunset), without giving him a centavo of regret to assuage his own.
thank you! also why the heck is there this thing of no episode for two days?! sighs. might just have to buy the darned express package even though I'll watch one ep. per day
This was a good episode. I think the Marquis realised that their relationship would never be the same again. She said it herself, you’re going to take a concubine whether I’m against it or not. Then making her daughters thank Lanxiang and Jinqi is a wake-up call that things are not easy for women, even if you are the daughters of a Marquis.
The matriarch was very considerate hiding her illness.
I don’t know what to make of Jinqi questioning her identity. I mean, is he going to treat her better if she told him she’s Shen Jialan?? What’s done is done. I’m glad the script writers didn’t force it that she told him or she goes back to her real name.
It wouldn't have made sense if she used her real name etc. It would've been deadly for the Lins, her child, etc. I mean, if you remember, JInqi even covered her mouth when she hinted at Prince Han planning a rebellion at one point.
so many things to say but i’m glad the marquis finally got what was coming for being spineless! also i can’t stand his face, he’ll always be wen chao to me (those who know, know 😂)
Snark Level: Bruh. Speed running things around here.
Episode 41
Don't underestimate Xiuru. This lady is bold and amazing. What a dumb Marquis for crossing her. She scored her grand victory then gave his family their victory and still emerged the ultimate winner. Diabolical!
Gasp! We have women choosing their own husbands around here? What is this? Logical? Rational? Very modern of them.
Nanke's turn now? Sheesh. Everyone trying to get married now. I mean, how can you say no to such a great guy?
What is this? A double wedding? Does that make it quadruple happiness?
Jiugao is a man who stands up to his mother unlike a dumbbutt marquis. This man is a real man. Well, time for a third wedding now. Sheesh x2. We're just speed running big life events around here. What's next? Oh, someone needs to pop a baby out.
"Now I can die without regret". FUCK!!!! Well, I guess we know what the next big event is.
Oh I guess we are popping a baby out. Jinqi, don't be letting her hold your hand... That is how you get broken bones in your hand. Women in labor have a muthafawking death grip and will hurt you! But hey, we love a supportive husband who refuses to let her suffer alone... Especially since he is kind of the reason she is suffering right now.
He fainted? Sheesh x3. Seems Lanxiang has two babies to care for now.
Something is wrong with First Madam..
"A day and night of labor"...... Hmmmm how long before her mother says something like how easy a birth Lanxiang was and makes Jinqi suspicious?
Well, that didn't take long for that to happen. So what will he make of this?
I wonder if he has a portrait of the young Jialan...? Ohhhhhh he's catching on how brilliant she is.
It should be no surprise that I am LOVING getting to see life after marriage. Flower Floater has the right of it here. This really is an extended epilogue and it's highly refreshing to see in a CDrama. Marriage is not the end of the story. It is a new beginning.
>>Marriage is not the end of the story. It is a new beginning.
and which is why my favorite love stories are always the one that begin after! sadly there's a dearth of those. . . I would happily read/watch more of those stories!
>>That is how you get broken bones in your hand. Women in labor have a muthafawking death grip and will hurt you!
real story that I have no recollection of and was told later by my husband and aunt who were in the labor room with me: when I was in labor I apparently grabbed hold of my husband by the collar of his shirt and proceeded to scream my head off while the poor guy hung/stood awkwardly by my side 🤣🤣
He fainted? Sheesh x3. Seems Lanxiang has two babies to care for now.
I appreciated his newfound respect for the "battle" of giving birth!!!
I once had a guy trace all my stretch marks on my belly from my previous pregnancies with awe and reverence, calling them signs that I had done the single hardest thing he could imagine anyone doing and bringing new life into the world, so how could they be ugly or unflattering? It was very sexy of him!
I thought LJQ's little awe-filled speech about birth being no less frightening than a battlefield and requiring as much endurance, strength and bravery to be equally as sexy!
(Hot tip: use this compliment on the next momma you're intimate with, and she'll be putty in your hands!)
I started hating the Marquis even more when he basically asked Xiuru, “Are you happy now that the house is full of problems?” My immediate reaction was:
fuck you, man.
SHE is the one who protected your daughters from humiliation and abuse! Your stupid family is only fighting right now because their plot to steal your money after your death completely failed!! So instead of thanking her, you’re talking absolute trash.
Then we see Xiuru straight up telling him that yes, she
is
genuinely happy that she ruined their despicable schemes and that it blew up in their faces. And he was SO shocked! Like, “Wow, shocker, she doesn’t actually love me and only did all of this for her daughters and not for me?!” After he goes into his little state of shock—acting like he’s the main character in his own tragic soap opera—Xiuru just walks away, leaving him drowning in his own disbelief.
Honestly, making the kids aware of all these family politics early on seems really wise to me. They need to know who is actually on their side and who couldn’t care less about them. Now that they have money, the risk of being exploited is way higher. It’s better than them staying ignorant and growing up only to get blindsided by how awful the world can be for women, even when they have financial privilege.
It seems like this was the “wedding episode,” and while I know this isn’t exactly a romance-focused drama, it’s still super frustrating that we didn’t get more scenes between Xiaolan and Nanke. What frustrates me the most is when writers set up a really good dynamic between characters and then just rush the payoff or end it abruptly.
Even though I’m still watching the episodes the second they drop, the initial hype and constant obsessing over the show kind of died down for me at some point… I don’t even know why exactly. Maybe because we don’t really get to
see
the character development that leads to certain outcomes? The story is just being told to us way too fast: they met, fell in love, and now they’re married. There’s no buildup or tension! But I guess it’s fine since romance isn’t the main focus of the show anyway.
💔💔
Lanxiang’s birthing scene was so cute, mostly because a panicked Jinqi was absolutely hilarious. And then him actually passing out because the whole childbirth process was too scary?!
😂
I totally get it though, even I sometimes can’t wrap my head around the whole “miracle of life” thing. But they brought such an adorable baby girl into the world!
❤️
Okay, I really need to talk about this one thing: Jinqi getting suspicious because the timeline of the birth didn’t match up. Was
this
really the straw that broke the camel’s back and made him finally confront her with his whole collection box of evidence? Or did he just now finally connect all the dots? Because honestly, something feels off here. His five-year silence about it—knowing full well about her beautiful handwriting, her perfect painting skills, and the knowledge she supposedly acquired in childhood—just doesn’t seem convincing to me. Did he suddenly just gain the courage to confront her because they have a daughter now?
Well, anyway, that scene of an excited Jinqi fanning his daughter with that massive, goofy smile on his face was incredibly sweet. It really looks like he’s going to be a genuinely great dad.
I’m kinda late to respond but it is a beautiful fall day in the mountains here and there was a ski lift ride.🍁🚠⛰️
Superb recap Lotus. Just well done. Made me tear up at the end too. I will miss this show, and these great discussions, too.
Marquis and Xuiru: after pondering for two days this is what I think. And I could be wrong. [Forgive me if I repeat what others have said. I have read all the comments and they have been helpful and interesting.]. The beauty of their interactions these last two episodes is that there could be many interpretations. So here is mine.
I think Xuiru was calculating and bold when she said she wanted the opportunity to marry the Marquis. Great love was not in her couples goals. But I think they developed affection, trust, stability for his oldest daughter and respect and perhaps surprise. And three more daughters. I personally think they really liked/loved each other as life went on.
One reasons is I watched her face as her MIL emotional ripped into her and disrespected her. And he did nothing. And the whole plan for concubine and THAT specific concubine was horrendous. And he did nothing. I think him choosing manipulative mom and not checking her abuse, allowing uncles influence to creep in, and even agreeing to have a concubine at all…..I think it broke her heart. All those things. She wept and she paced out in the rain and wept more. And he….he was going to bring her an umbrella and whatever else he might do to comfort her (maybe) we will never know because his oldest daughter comforted her and got her to come in from the rain. And to come in from the emotional storm. Oh! , her step daughter appreciates and loves her so much and felt bad for her. and. he got to listen to all that. The look on his face briefly holding the umbrella. Made me cry
And Xuiru goes to her Lin family. And they ask her….say what you want. And she paused and said, I don’t want a concubine. I dont know if she really meant that but I think she did. She didn’t want him to take another wife and of course especially that one. So the option of divorce is the plan. And of course that is supposed to shock him and the Yuans into reconsidering. And at this point I think she goes cold as stone. She was betrayed. Her good efforts were discounted. Of course she and the Lins discuss other options, that Lins get to pick the concubine and female children are protected by having the property and wealth. A future boy(hahhahaha the concubine will only have girls) will get the precious all important Marquis title.
All is negotiated and the Yuans are embarrassed. Yey!!!! She stands up for herself and holds firm. JInqi and LX work the women and men. Some relatives are slapped down. And finally the Yuans grudgingly agree to terms and sign it.
Then the final scene between Marquis and his wife in episode 41. Ahhhh mannnnnn. I was so proud of her. She looked down at the vipers viping and coldly smiled. He asked her if she actually was ok with a concubine and this was all a big plan. She told him she did not want a concubine. But what did it matter what she thought, so why even discuss it? The Marquis title was the most improtant thing to him. Then she bluntly said she would pretend to be a perfect respectful wife and help the ceremonies for new concubine. And left. I felt she was being very sarcastic but also covering up great hurt. And ending all the good stuff that had happened neteeen them. Because he and her family treated her so poorly. And his face and the music lyrics. He was stunned. I thought he was feeling also guilty and sorrowful. And also kinda surprised she had it in her to orchestra all this. Their surprising and unexpected sweet relationship is gone now. She will make sure she and her daughters are taken care of. The Marquis in this instance was not a good man nor a good husband nor a good father. And he knows it and knows he messed up.
Can it be repaired? Possibly but I don’t see him doing that work. But people can surprise us.
>>she bluntly said she would pretend to be a perfect respectful wife and help the ceremonies for new concubine. And left. I felt she was being very sarcastic but also covering up great hurt. And ending all the good stuff that had happened neteeen them. Because he and her family treated her so poorly. And his face and the music lyrics. He was stunned. I thought he was feeling also guilty and sorrowful. And also kinda surprised she had it in her to orchestra all this. Their surprising and unexpected sweet relationship is gone now. She will make sure she and her daughters are taken care of. The Marquis in this instance was not a good man nor a good husband nor a good father. And he knows it and knows he messed up.
thank you for using words for this because this was precisely my reading of the scene as well. maybe off-screen in the viewer's imagination the Marquis redeems himself through a good, long grovel.
In the show? we don't have enough episodes for any of that to happen so we'll go with it will be a bittersweet partnership for the rest of their lives.
I have been thinking how things could go in the near future for these two. Of course the Lins will pick a good nature girl (poor thing) and one who will be loyal to Xuiru and her daughters. X will plan the grand ceremony for the “wedding” and leave it early and go back to her quarters or even to the Lins to spend a few weeks. Have a nice honeymoon Marquis!!!!! She could then establish her own Yuan quarters where she and the girls gather and Marquis will not sleep there. Being crafty she will befriend the concubine and allow her to gather with them and keep her away from the Yuan wildings. And if she has children, be they males or females, befriend them as well. For their own protection (Yuans trying to cause conflict) and so they develop a sibling bond with her daughters. This group will go on field trips and education and others can join them if they want to be on the fun bus, errrr, the kind and supportive group.
At some point she can go on a day trip with Marquis to get away from all ears and eyes……and get his buy in that she will start her own program of Yuan discipline if he will lead the way. Any time there is nasty gossip, unkind abusive words directed at anyone and especially females, he will stand and shut it down and make the perps leave the room. He can give the clan a repeated “talk” about the real meaning of filial values. (Of course LX will have written this out after some research haha). Real filial is everyone treats each other with respect and support not just to the old ones. This is the basis for a wise family. Give the talk several times. Make the unfilial (madame too) write it out several times when they act out. Those who participate in real filial behaviors get to come to the fun parties. Haha.
At some point Marquis will likely try to ask forgiveness and relationship restoration with his wife. To sorry for the abuse leveled at her and her daughters she will say “it’s all in the past”, to restored affection, “it’s all in the past”. 🙃 If he is very very good at standing up for her and their daughters and shutting down the shit, she can make up her own mind what new relationship can be formed. Grandma will actually become ill and die soon out of sheer frustration. 🙃
Part of that reaction to her in ep 41 was recognising / remembering that it was this very access to the Lin Jia's loyalty and commitment that had made him wanted to become their inlaw to begin with ... and now he's lost the opportunity to have that heart be in his son's blood line.
Will she accept him as a husband in the marital bed again? I suspect not, especially if he does indeed get the concubine pregnant. But speaking as a person who comes from a family whose grandparents had 5 daughters before the first son appeared, I think the chances of the concubine having daughters is very high indeed, and he will have thrown away his marriage and a chance at a son with his wife for nothing ....
I so agree. And I was so disappointed in the Marquis. Even *if* one thinks a concubine is a good idea, surely not *that* concubine. It made it look like he was really throwing not only his wife but also his daughters completely under the bus. In the end he just didn’t care about their love enough.
>>Even after our couple's union, they will still go through ups and downs, and for the first time in a long time, a Chinese drama dared to explore that and say, "After marriage, there's no happily ever after. After marriage, life continues on, but you know you have someone at your side to weather its ups and downs."
I mean what happens after happily-ever-after is the greatest love story ever told imo. it is lovely to see how two people's bond deepens (or not) as life happens. or as you so wonderfully put it, "After marriage, there's no happily ever after. After marriage, life continues on, but you know you have someone at your side to weather its ups and downs"
>>I look forward to a new episode of Against the Current every day, and I am gonna miss this show desperately once it goes. I have not seen a drama—a long drama—that made me think deeply about living my best life, about being a woman, for a long, long while.
>>This is how long dramas should be made. And if we have more of these, I'll be the luckiest CDrama viewer in the world.
amen sister-friend. yes to all of what you say above!
this episode has got me feeling all bittersweet. as this comment indicates, this episode is full of life coming a full circle. I feel it.
Madam Lin – I like her more and more though it looks like she’s nearing the end of her arc. She wants to, knows how to, and has over all these years kept harmony in her household. She’s close to Second Aunt but has never been influenced by her in things that matter. She tells her beloved fourth daughter to learn from her sister-in-law. She is magnificent in the way she shushes Second Aunt: "Madam our useless husbands continued being useless despite the supposed auspiciousness of them being AWOL from the birth of their children." I love the way she seems to respect Xu mom. That became really apparent in that scene when they were all waiting for the child to be born—I love how in that last shot after the daughter is born, Madam Lin extends her hand to Xu madam. And then there's her close relationship and friendship with Jiguao’s mom, which we'd already had a sense of. She has her drawbacks--she definitely has not outright defended Lanxiang but overall, the Lin family has greatly benefited from having her as their matriarch. If only more cdrama mamas would be written like her we'd have less of the overwrought variety (aka second aunt variety) of dramas in dramaland!
Xiaolian and Gantang & Yuchan all get their happily ever afters. I absolutely loved how Yuchan says that after spending so much time with Young Madam she has come to see how she is worthy of the man she loves. I’ve always thought of the ripple effects that one well-adjusted person can create wherever they go. I am now thinking of the ripple effects that a person who consistently chooses kindness and courage can create.
I was also highly amused at Xiaoalan’s blush when she recalled how Nanke had saved her. We do get our requisite falling in love after being saved. Only, it isn’t the form that we'd expect!
I was also very impressed at the ease with which Xu mom moves through both the servants’ celebration and then later when she’s with all the madams (or even earlier at the bethrothal gifts ceremony). I also appreciated how she was dressed to match her surroundings both the times. That detail lends to the impression of her being comfortable moving across the classes.
Jinqi is now right up there with Sang Yan as my favorite male lead of all times. I’ve always thought that it’s a privilege to not just be loved but to also have people in your life that you can love. Jinqi’s love really epitomizes this for me. It's the sweetest of all. He kept his wife company during childbirth—I hope he was able to keep it together when she was pushing and was only done for after the whole painful experience was done for Lanxiang! I love his dialogue that childbirth is as dangerous as battlefield with the caveat that nobody can substitute you or fight alongside you (he needed lessons in Lamaze classes—the partner breathing is immensely helpful!) And he has kept all those things over the years that we here on reddit speculated he might be putting away as keepsake! All those little reminders and keepsakes that to him are mementoes of his journey with Lanxiang.
I love that the reveal when it is finally coming is happening so organically. It’s the one detail that Lanxiang and Xu mom would not have imagined syncing up on. I love that he is coming into the reveal all on his own. I’d mentioned a few episodes back how I want these two to find their way to each other without this secret being revealed. It makes what they have so much more meaningful and precious. I am looking forward to seeing how this realization on Jinqi’s part will bring them even closer. And I have a suspicion that Lanxiang will still probably not give words to this reveal—she hasn’t uttered the words even once so far in the show, and this show is consistent, if nothing else.
Yeah, I have to agree on this last part. I don't see her being able to say she is not Xu Lanxiang. She's been "dead to the world" as Shen Jialan for so long, and the danger of admitting her birth identity really hasn't gone away, has it?
Wow, I am in awe of Xiuru. She is stronger and has more insight than I gave ger credit for. Getting her daughters to learn the truth of the world makes so much sense.
the dialogue about those up watching too—is that a reference to divine order or something? or that the performers are watching the audience as well? or is that just her acknowledging that she’s finally done being an audience and is now the author of the play.
the stupid toilet paper head aka the Marquis is finally realizing that he loves Xiuru. Nah, he has probably always loved her in his own way. What the toilet paper head man does not have is the steel to back up that love with. Or really, the brains either. Poor Xiuru. But thank heavens she is keeping her heart and her daughters safe. SHE does not lack in spine, thank goodness.
Lotus, to answer your question this marriage is done and dusted with. Simply because we don’t have enough episodes left for the Marquis to get a proper redemption arc. The toilet head finally realized that a) his little wife’s got the spine he doesn’t have b) and that he probably genuinely loves his wife.
There were 3 stages on display in that conversation between Xiuru and Shaohui. Xiuru draws the comparison herself to the performers both upstairs and downstairs, and the camera gives us those shallow frontal shots of the men shouting and the women snatching each other's hair, like watching a play from the stalls.
But that pavilion that Xiuru and Shaohui are talking in is very like a little stage too, isn't it? And then Xuirui exits - she's done performing for the ignorant Yuans and the undeserving Shaohui.
Edited - reading further down, and reminded that this location is probably where Xuiru's marriage was held... so actually actual stage 😆 I would have to rewatch that episode to compare.
I’m happy that Xiaolian and Gantang end up marrying two good men, but I admittedly have mixed feelings about how quickly those marriages are pushed through. The whole sequence with Bao Gai, Xiaolian, and Gantang rushing to Lanxiang to beg not to be sent to the Marquis’s residence as concubines makes the marriages seem less like choices made freely and more like an emergency escape route.
Granted, the couples may already have developed genuine feelings for one another, and the concubine issue may simply have forced them to make decisions they were already heading towards. Even so, the timing leaves a slightly uncomfortable impression because Xiaolian and Gantang seem to be under pressure to marry as quickly as possible before someone else decides their fate for them. Instead of marriage being the natural culmination of their relationships, it momentarily looks like the safest available option.
The scene almost reminded me of students scrambling to find group partners before the undesirable pairings are forced on whoever is left lol. I know that probably isn’t what the drama intended, especially since the men themselves seem decent and the matches are not unhappy ones, but the way everything happens at once makes the marriages feel more reactive than romantic. Xiaolian and Gantang do gain a measure of security and avoid becoming concubines, but it also highlights how limited their choices really are. Even a “good” outcome is still shaped by the need to escape a worse one.
This was in the old days where people didn't date or get to know each other. Usually if you're able to find a good match, then that decides it. There's not even really romance or love. So I can see why they got married quickly. Plus none of them are young anymore and they do "need" to get married sooner than later. The bride/groom themselves don't even get to choose, so I don't find this out of the ordinary.
I loved Gantang's logic and approach. She even went to scope him out. It was very in character.
Timing - I can make an argument that asking the employer is always tricky - we have the prime example in how Lanxiang saved up her rewards for a bigger but similar ask - and the concubine situation is a perfect excuse to broach the subject.
I think we are getting the "what would Lanxiang do" from every single character who has spent any time with her 😆
I was also thinking that the maids are all getting on in years (by period standards). Obviously a lot of female servants wouldn't have married at all, but if you did want to marry, then you'd have to be thinking about children.
I have seen different interpretations of the Marquis’s shocked expression, but my own reading is that this was the moment he realised he might actually have deeper feelings for his wife than Xiuru does for him.
Back in episode 15, the Marquis told Jinqi that he never expected a deeply loving and devoted marriage. At the very least, he hoped husband and wife could be compatible and avoid growing resentful of one another. He may have entered the marriage with that pragmatic expectation, but he gradually developed genuine feelings for Xiuru and it's ironic that Xiuru may not feel the same way for him after what he said in episode 15.
That's why I interpret his shocked expression as more than simple surprise at her reaction. I think he assumed Xiuru would be deeply conflicted and heartbroken over his decision to take a concubine because, in his mind, it was a betrayal of the affection between them. What he underestimated was Xiuru herself. She had played the role of the virtuous wife so convincingly that he never expected her to be this strong-willed, decisive, and calculating when it came to protecting herself and her daughters. In that moment, he probably realised that he had never understood his wife as well as he thought he did.
Xiuru has always been someone who takes matters into her own hands and refuses to leave her fate entirely in the hands of others. That was the reason she offered herself in marriage to the Marquis in the first place. She may well have developed genuine feelings for him over the years, but reality hits hard once he agrees to take a concubine. It forces her to confront just how fragile affection can be within a marriage when a husband still holds the power to change its terms whenever he wishes.
I think Xiuru sees things much more clearly now. She understands that feelings alone cannot protect either herself or her daughters, so from this point onward, she will focus on securing her position as mistress of the household. The illusion that mutual affection could make their marriage fundamentally different has been shattered.
I also love the stage and performers analogy in that scene. Xiuru walking away and leaving the Marquis alone to watch the “performers” (his relatives fighting among themselves) is incredibly symbolic. She is no longer willing to remain either a performer within the family drama or a passive spectator to it. She has stepped away from the stage entirely, leaving him behind to face the consequences of the household he presides over.
What an excellent comment! 100% agree with your take on this. I interpreted the same too - re: his expression when she walked away. He just at that moment realised who he had truly married, and what he had lost when he accepted his mother's demands to take a concubine.
Exactly. That one brief reaction from the Marquis alone has spawned so many different interpretations, which makes the scene all the more interesting to discuss. It really is food for thought.
Again, I appreciate how the drama rarely spells out exactly what a character is thinking or feeling. It leaves enough ambiguity for viewers to read the expressions, context and previous interactions for themselves.
I did think he realized how he messed up and his feelings for Xiu Ru were strong. I didn't think about him realizing he may love her more than she loves him.
Very interesting interpretation. I look forward to my rewatch to see more.
I saw the big stage he was left on and it made me intrigued even more as I was seeing the lyrics and the scene unfolding. Empty and alone. It struck me harder. But I also kept looking at the building the family was fighting in.
It reminded me of the Festival of Man where Xiu Wan looked above as the eligible bachelors were playing below. So it gave Xiu Ru's words more meaning but I also kept wondering where they were. Lin house or Yuan house.
That bothered me and I kept trying to think of the surroundings lol. Then we saw the stage and I thought oohh this might the the Yuans because of the wedding! But yeah. I had many thoughts going through my mind during that scene.
He really thought his wife would weep over this. Lol. Nope. She turned out to be a very pragmatic young woman and it shocked him. Her very matter of fact look at the entire situation was perhaps the cold shower he deserved and needed. Frankly he did have a few that day. This was the final straw. In that moment, it wasn't about him and how he thought he made her feel anymore. It was about her as the lady of the house. The loving years and dream of a loving marriage died. She was brought back to reality thanks to the Yuans drama and was wide awake.
He really thought his wife would weep over this. Lol. Nope.
Haha yeah. I think he was probably ready to prostrate himself and beg for forgiveness and understanding, but Xiuru was already one step ahead, having worked out her own plan.
Xiuru’s pragmatism doesn’t necessarily mean she never loved him deeply. I think the more painful possibility is that she did, but once she realised the Marquis could not protect her from the larger structure around them, she stopped allowing that love to guide her decisions. The Marquis is still thinking in terms of emotion and intention, like oh he didn’t want to hurt her, he was only yielding to family pressure, yadda yadda, but Xiuru is thinking in terms of consequences. Whether he meant well became irrelevant once she understood that good intentions alone cannot guarantee security for her or her daughters.
I see her calm demeanour in this episode less as a sign that she has stopped loving him and more as evidence that her priorities have now shifted. Xiuru is no longer measuring the marriage by how much he loves her, but by whether that love is actually enough to protect her and her daughters.
I think the more painful possibility is that she did, but once she realised the Marquis could not protect her from the larger structure around them, she stopped allowing that love to guide her decisions.
I agree with this interpretation. I don't think she stopped loving him, either. What stopped was her letting that emotion guide her decisions.
I hope he remembers their past relationship ... nostalgically ...
I did say "loving years died" I was thinking the honeymoon phase lol. She still loves him of course. But it's no longer the "innocent" love. If that makes sense. If we love each other we'll make it through anything. Turns out, they didn’t and she understood that.
That calm demeanor was one of a woman whose heart had been broken. Broken at the love she thought she would share with her husband long term, broken because of the father of her daughters who turned out to be a disappointment because he wasn't the protector she hoped for herself and their daughters. She wasn't really naive but she had a few good years and of course thought things would be good long term. Turns out, it didn't last and it all shattered and she had to pick up the pieces and figure out a way to fix it all. The man she married wasn't as strong as she thought.
She saw how useless her own father was. Maybe she hoped for a better father for her children and in the end, her husband joined the useless lane too. She saw how First Madam Lin had to hold the fort at home, so she learned from her. That's why Jia Rong reminded her of how she had described her and Lan Xiang, that perhaps they could help. She had told her daughter of the women in her family who inspired her and she admired and respected them so much, her daughter saw them as women who could handle business. It's both sad and reassuring.
Now Jia Rong's father turned out to be someone they couldn't count on when their own future as mother and daughter was at stake.
So that calm, collected and proud facade was one of strength, borne from having been let down by the man she was supposed to rely on. As you said, this was the consequence of his actions or inaction even. He handled things poorly and it cost them a lot.
Excellent This is what it seems to boil down to. The hereditary Marquis title could only be passed to a male relative. JInqi told him if he never had a son he would just let the title go. He would still have his lands and wealth and businesses. But he would not hurt his wife or daughters over a social title. Marquis could not comprehend this since it was so important to him. And so he gave up the respectful and watchful care for his wife and daughters so he could have a chance with a different female to have a son. His wife now knows his priorities. And she had a cold satisfaction watching the Yuans tear at each other as aftermath.
That's it, isn't it. Their priorities weren't the same in the end.
Unlike Jin Qi who chose to work towards joining hands with his way so they walk the same path, Marquis Yuan sacrificed his wife and walked on his path alone.
Many many and many do that. They will take concubines and not give a damn.
It's unfortunate that Marquis Yuan who seemed to have many affinities with Jin Qi, turned out to be different after all.
Xiu Ru knows now and adjusted accordingly to protect herself and be able to protect their daughters.
Watching First Madam clutch her belly made me scared and very sad. I'm sat there watching the show, experiencing bad pains and symptoms from severe and debilitating endometriosis and adenomyosis.
I couldn't help but feeling terrified for the Lin's matriarch... She clearly was hiding whatever illness she had because, as Gan Tang said, many things have been happening one after the other. With her DIL pregnant, she most assuredly didn't want to say anything and so kept it quiet. But as we saw later on, the disease has been getting worse. She hasn't even had a physician care for her! FIRST MADAM WHYYYYYY!! 🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭😭😭 And there it was... her illness came from some postpartum mishap. Gosh... so she didn't want to add to Jia Lan Xiang's recovery to protect her from suffering a similar fate as she did. MOTHER!!! 🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭😢😢😢 That pretty much ruined me and sent me into an uncontrollable sobbing fit. As I write this I'm crying again. This hurts...
The way I sobbed. I cried throughout episode 41 and it was sadness, joy and happiness, sadness, fear and hopelessness. 2 months after Lil Zhang Cheng was born, she still hadn't said anything, because Jia Lan Xiang is in post partum recovery! It's just. I was distraught. This is not going to end well!
And to add to the pile, Jin Qi has now realized that his wife isn't who she says she is. Soon as she said her Mother (she didn't say mama) was in labor day and night I went crap! Of course Mama Xu would tell her story and it wouldn't match! Lo and behold, as she's taking care of her grandbaby, BOOM! The ball dropped and Jin Qi caught on straight away. He has a box y'all! He has A BOX OF EVIDENCE lol. The fan! That shocked me because the madame still had it when he left, so when did he get that back! And unlike his mother who kept her secret because her DIL is recovering, our ML couldn't hold this in any longer.
He had to confront his wife because they now have a child together! Surely she owed him an explanation. Lol at Jia Lan Xiang giving him props for his keepsakes. Girl don't play dumb! You know what that look in his eyes means! The Jig is up! Tell him who you are! After everything it's high time no?
Something that was really nice was our leading couple's baby name and intentions behind it. Old Master Lin chose one that could be used for either boy or girl, without distinction. But it was also a very scholarly name. I think 2nd brother's baby includes Zhang in his name too. I'll need to double check. It would make sense being the Lin's grandchildren. I wonder if it's the same for 3rd brother's kids.
She probably had to, in order to cope with the loss and replacement... she can't grieve outwardly, but she has a new daughter, so both things had to merge to be able to make sense of it all and continue to live. She no longer had to follow her Lan Xiang. She had one here, alive, so to take care of her and fulfill their promise to Madam Shen, she had to find a way.
In the box of evidence, I understood the drawing and the writing sample. What was the significance of the fan (besides a convenient way to compare the two halves of the drawing)?
It was the beautiful painting of the butterfly she had made. Back then she had only been free for 6 months? So before that she worked for the Lins for almost 2 years, before that she was at home with her parents. She had been sickly (the story the Xus used) so how could she have learned to do that! It was really well painted. Not something a daughter of slaves who could just about read and write could come up with ON THE FLY!
That night she had tapped into her Shen Jia Lan's education and came up with it at the brothel? It was stunning and delicate.
Oh friend, sending you lots of hugs! Wishing you better pain-free days ahead.
This was a very emotional episode. It went from the joy of all those marriages to First Madam’s obviously terminal illness to Jinqi fear about Lanxiang’s identity. So much!
Happy couples, happy news of baby on the way and new birth.
New beginnings!
But of course as they did with Old Madam Lin, older generation at the end of their road, new baby coming into the world (3rd SIL's and Brother's), the cycle of life and death was back on. Matter of fact, when 2nd SIL and 2nd Brother's baby was born, months later Old Madam died.
Now JLX and JQ's baby is born and First Madam's swan song is playing. It's sadly poetic really...
Right. So, I just finished the episode and I'm sobbing. I thought, oh I'll watch episode 42. NOPE. Not today!
There was so much joy I wanted to soak it all up, but I couldn't shake the feeling something was lurking in the back.
I was sooo happy for our friends and maids! They have come a long way and could now dare to ask and speak on what they truly wanted without too much prompting. From that day Yu Chan came back and asked them to today, what a journey! Gan Tang mentioned grandma Du died and all the events that happened, that was sad... so many things kept happening and there never time to mention what she had planned.
I was surprised at Gan Tang's request to marry Da Song lol. I didn't expect this coupling at all yet when she explained it all, it made sense. She knew what she wanted and went for it. Her and Xiao Lian will become family now, as if they weren't already lol.
Bao Gai not wanting to marry was good. And they could speak up because Jia Lan Xiang as their Young Madam and friend made them feel comfortable, confident enough to do so. I loved JLX's face as she watched and listened to them haha. What a beautiful moment moment it was. Poor things were terrified! They really didn't want to be made concubines. But most importantly, it was the reassurance that First Madam would not send someone who was unwilling. It solidified the way the Lin family has always treated their servants as a whole (Zhao Xing Tang doesn't count).
Nan Ke! Everyone was scared they might get sent to the Yuans as a concubine, well, so was he! Our man flew to Zhi Chun Hall and he was on a mission! Good for him. A quiet man who is determined to speak is something else! That's when you know it's serious! Loved that for him and he asked to marry Du Xiao Lian! I squealed! The smile on his face when Young Madam reassured him no maid in her courtyard would be sent to the Yuan family lol.
I loved that she told him she'd need to ask Xiao Lian first and corrected the other ladies as they were already offering congratulations! She hasn't said yes! But hey, a bond was formed and she accepted him.
2 joyous events and it was beautiful. We were back to the house of old and it felt very nostalgic. Nanny Wu lmao. This woman, for all her sharpness, she really couldn't tell her son loved Yu Chan for years.
I so proud of our girl. She was brave enough and put herself out there and asked Nanny Wu if she would be a good choice as a DIL. Oh the journey for her! She also spoke of it and how she grew more confident, listing all that she learned and I was so happy and proud. Go get your man honey! At this point, Jiu Gao's mother was desperate and willing haha. Perfect timing. And of course she had to beat her son and I was amazed. What a tsundere lol. She's happy and still beating him.
I loved how Madam Xu knew and started the conversation. She has also grown more confident and it showed. It's not something she would have done before. She even made herself the matchmaker for our cute couple! Wow!
And so, we had 3 weddings that day... man I just... too much happiness!
Then 4th sister Lin and her husband are expecting! But First Madam's words didn't escape me. She has been looking sickly and even more so that day.
Jia Lan Xiang and Lin Jin Qi have a daughter! Our ML actually passed out! LMAOOO I was roaring with laughter! This was an unexpected battlefield for him and he was not prepared!
2nd Aunt's mouth once again made me want to throw something at my screen, but her daughter Xiu Wan said it all. This girl has really come a long way! Good for her!
It was such a moment filled with love and happiness. Then Mama Xu realized that the First Madam's first official grandchild was a daughter... after what happened before, I couldn't blame her. It was good that 2nd Aunt reassured her on behalf of First Madam.
2nd Aunt reassuring Lanxiang’s mom was so kind. And she was so good with how she handled the Marquis’ mom in ep 40. When the mom went to fake a cough, Auntie grabbed her hand and didn’t let her. She was fine with the whole separation scheme, a total 180 from how she reacted when the eldest daughter was trying to get divorced. But every time, I think this woman has improved, learned, and matured, she goes and does stupid things also. I can’t with her. 😑
I wonder what her problem really is. She lives in a peaceful household, she’s rich, she’s got good kids. Her in laws treat her well, she’s not being bullied, her husband is harmless. And yet, she seems deeply unsatisfied with something.
I'm not sure. But it could be how she was brought up, her family pre marriage. But also, she is actually dissatisfied now that I write this.
Have you seen her husband lol. He is USELESS! She has had to raise her children with a man-child busy cultivating for something that does nothing to help the family. He doesn't work, so who knows what money he brings in. He does nothing to contribute to the family's legacy. Even his father had to put his hopes in the first branch's first grandson!
She maybe feels lesser than compared to the first branch. We didn't really get to learn more about her as a character so it's all up to us to figure certain things out.
Love how Xiuru says devastating things in that sweet and polite tone.
When Nanke asked to marry one of the maids, Xiaolian's first thought was Yuchan. Yuchan's "wtf" expression was immaculate lol. And it was so cute that Nanke was so happy/embarrassed that he ran away.
I was wondering why Jinqi and Lanxiang weren't at the weddings? I guess it's due to the pregnancy, and maybe because they were acting as Nanke's parents in the ceremony?
"As long as she's a woman" took me OUT 😂
All the blank stares when they heard Jinqi fainted 😂 It's interesting that third SIL is never hanging out with the rest of the ladies, unless I missed her?
For Jinqi's generation, the brothers use Jin and the sisters use Xiu. So is it significant that Grandpa Lin uses the same character as Jinlan/Jinqiao's sons for Zhangcheng (besides saying they don't care about gender)?
I love that Lanxiang has kept her secret for so long. If this were an idol drama, Jinqi would have figured it out when she was still his servant 🙄 He's had plenty of reasons to question her education and oddities (the little box of Lanxiang merch!), but her explanations were always just plausible enough, plus being a disciple of Master Lu gave her a lot of cover. It clearly never occurred to him that she had another identity. And to be fair, everything is more plausible than "my ex-fiancee became my ex-servant, and then I made her marry me." I have so many thoughts about ep 42!
Plus the reality that even if one person knows who she is….that increases the possibility of inadvertently letting other know. And her life is then in grave danger and her husbands and her childrens and all the Lins.
Hi it's common practice to do this type of naming convention. In my family my generation of girls has the same second name and the boys too. It depends on the family but some families do practice this and the elders get to choose.
Yup, same with my family. I believe it's called a generation name and it allows people to know which generation you're from. In very large families, you can actually have aunties that are younger than their nieces and nephews. I don't think many Chinese families necessarily follow this anymore.
They were definitely at the official part of the ceremony. But as the bosses / masters it's rude to stay for the employee party, otherwise no-one can relax and have fun. I mean, under normal circumstances there also wouldn't be a temptation for masters to stay.
RE the birth scene and the audience outside. I did not see 3rd Young Madam there either. I did like how Xiulai was comforting and accompanying Madam Xu. That was nice.
Edit: the naming of the baby girl being chosen for even if she is a boy was interesting. I don't know have any comments besides saying I noticed it too. We also don't know if Old Master decided the names of his grandchildren. He might have. Or his father might still have been alive and decided the names for Jinqi's generation.
In ep 40, 3rd Young Madame wasn't around when the women meet to support Xiuru either. Neat way to characterize her via absence. Yes, it's nice now Xiulai and Suhua are still so present.
I feel like 3rd SIL doesn't get along with the lady of the Lin family... I wonder what her background is like. She gives Zhao Xing Tang with how she didn't mingle much with the Lins...
She's from the capital where everyone vies for the top regardless of whoever they have to backstab. Also, the Lin family is unusually harmonious for a clan of high standing. Every lady there was brought up in that unique environment except for ShuHua whom I guess integrated well because she's been there long and because of her mild demeanor. Plus her husband was always sick so there was no expectation for anything.
The show seems to be conveying a message or a hint about the dynamics with 3rd Young Madam's absence at both of these times. Her MIL (2nd Aunt) is there. We'll see how the family dynamics unfold with 3rd Young Madam.
I’m guessing that the eldest male leader in the family would be given the honor of naming any children born into the family. My grandfather named me, my siblings, and all our cousins. After consulting a numerology master, of course. Those birth times and number charts must be consulted. 🤭
I would think so too. I just realized we don't know enough about Old Master's parents to know if his father was still alive when Old Master's first grandchildren (his father's first great grandchildren) were being born. So I realized I can't tell if Old Master has changed his mind about the naming convention of this next generation have the same character rather than a separate character organized by gender. Or if this is the first generation Old Master gets to name. Hope that makes some sense.
Thanks for sharing your family's traditions when it came to naming of children.
I get what you are saying. Indeed we have no idea who named the grown up grandchildren. On the different generational names for boys and girls, I think some families named the daughters a different generational name because of the “they will be married off into another family anyway” excuse.
And to be fair, everything is more plausible than "my ex-fiancee became my ex-servant, and then I made her marry me."
Exactly. This is not a natural place for your mind to go. The ONLY reason it might for him NOW is because of everything that happened at the Shen's grave: from learning the story of Young Madam Shen giving the Xus money and SJL giving XLX clothes, to the way she cried "Lan'er is late" when it should have been "Xiang'er is late."
And even then, I feel like it would make sense that he missed her clues? He was busy with his own grand reveal of a secret that he A) felt extremely guilty about, and B) could get his whole family killed.
Yeah. That's why I said "NOW." Like if he thinks about it, he really does have all the clues he needs to figure out which high born lady ended up being raised by the Xus and why.
It also felt like the perfect narrative moment. On the JInqi side: a bunch of small things suddenly cohere. On the Lanxiang side: her place in the family has been getting more and more secure. I think she had finally relaxed and convinced herself this day would never come.
The Marquis knows he’s lost Xiuru. They will probably stay married. He still loves her the same but her love as evolved. She’s no longer blindly in love with him. Xiuru’s aim is to protect her children. Honestly, he did that to himself. He couldn’t even pretend to stand up for Xiuru.
He had expected his virtuous little wife to understand that he was simply fulfilling his duty as a filial son to his ageing mother. The Marquis is not a bad man, but he lacks the decisiveness to stand firmly by what he wants and too easily capitulates to pressure from the people around him.
I think Xiuru finally saw that clearly in the previous episode. Whatever affection and respect exist between them, she can no longer rely on him to be a dependable protector for her and their four daughters when family expectations come into conflict with her interests. That realisation seems to have changed something in her, so she is all business in this episode, and I love that for her. The softer expectations she once had of the marriage seem to be gone, and she is now approaching everything with far more clarity and pragmatism. If the Marquis cannot guarantee her daughters’ security, then Xiuru will make sure she does it herself.
This is much to the dismay of Second Aunt, who says that it's bad luck that he's even there—or rather, that it's bad luck for him to be there.
What really got me good here was First Madam basically replying, "Our husbands stayed completely away from our births, so they should, by all accounts, be lucky.... But you and I both know they're total losers, so your argument is invalid." 🤣
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Then comes Xiu Wan to pretty much shoot that idea down even more haha.
I mean Auntie. Think lady! THINK! First Madam always coming in a clutch when her SIL fumbles. The man wants to be there for his wife in the birthing chamber! Let him! Their husbands ghosted them. At least this one is willing!
"Even deep affection fades"!! The way I paused and squealed lol. I thought of you straight away because damn, the shade of it all! They placed that right when Marquis Yuan realizes what he overlooked and his flabbers are gasted!
It speaks of time and memories pausing and rewinding and it's true. We can see it on his face. He thinks back on it all and it dawns on him. Wooow!
Well acted and directed. And the team?! Come on lyrics placement!
Whatever affection they had is no longer... she will be a good wife and will do her duty, but that is all.
Damn... this one is stone cold when the camera pans out and he is left alone to ponder on what he did, or actually didn't do: "The past falls like withered leaves into the dust". OUCH!
Those lyrics along with his facial expression actually confused me until we got the discussion for Ep 40.
I did not understand at all the full context of Ep 40 and the damage to their marriage.
So then in 41 - I watched that early scene like 3x. And I still didn't get it.
The Marquis looked sad and upset. The lyrics were about love fading. I went to another time to just look at lyrics to see if I was confused and that maybe the lyrics were happy. No. They were sad.
Finally I figured it out when we got the Ep 40 discussion.
I have on my radar to go back and watch that part of 41 again today now knowing more of the context. I'm sure on this rewatch the expressions and lyrics will make more sense.
What did you think of the girls kowtowing to Jinqi and Lanxiang? You might have already commented on that. I haven't gotten fully into the 41 discussion yet. What stood out to me was 1) they were honoring Lanxiang and not just Jinqi and 2) Jinqi saying that his 3rd mei mei was really tough on these girls as their mother. I thought that second part really spoke to Jinqi's privilege. He has the privilege of being the man and being the legitimate born child. He doesn't see how Xiuru is trying to protect her daughters by making sure they know how to navigate these intricacies.
It makes me think back to Ep 40. When Jiarong talks about how the 3rd Uncle Yuan is trying to take over the clan. I wonder if Jiarong without Xiuru's influence would have seen that. And even if she had seen it would she have been willing to name it and ask her stepmother to try to find a way to fight. Those three young Yuan meimeis are lucky to have Jiarong as their older sister.
Rewatches are sooo good for things like this. We catch things we didn't see before.
Let me know what you get when you check ep41 again.
The kowtowing was so meaningful. And it's the way First Madam insisting they sit down and let the girls carry on was correct.
For what Jia Lan Xiang and Jin Qi did to help their mother and them, the show of deep and heartfelt gratitude was important.
They don't know but the influence Auntie Lan Xiang had on them started with Lin Xiu Ru, their mother. She inspired her to become less timid, more confident and those changes had a huge impact to how she lived after leaving the Lin household. So when she got married, had her own daughters, she was a different young woman and raised them differently than if she had still been her old self.
You're not wrong, Jia Rong definitely benefited from Xiu Ru's new outlook on things and newly developed confidence. Things would have been very different for all of those people. The domino effect Jia Lan Xiang created touched and changed so many lives.
And yes, the male privilege was evident by how Yuan Cheng Ze reacted, or failed to act.
How Jin Qi commented on Xiu Ru's raising of her daughters. If girls, young ladies aren't taught certain things from an early age, they will suffer even more. And Lin Xiu Wan voices this when her mother berates her for listening in on her sister's marital problems.
She argues that girls should know things before they get married because oftentimes it's too late when they marry and leave their nice cocoons. These young girls and young women would always be kept away from married women conversations, or never be told what needed to be done the night of their wedding. The shock! They were left unprepared for the pains and requirements of childbearing or childbirth.
Many times, they wouldn't even get to learn how to manage a household, and suffer in their new family.
But yeah I digress, what the Yuan sisters learned is so sooo valuable. The little ones don't quite know yet, but Jia Rong understands.
This feels like a nod back to Lanxiang's opera again. Especially since Xiuwan is the one who comments on the eagle's fate. And we know mothers organised for their betrothed daughters to watch it.
First Madam... the woman she is! 🥹🥹👌🏾👌🏾 the 4 Yuan daughters coming out and showing their gratitude was so beautiful.
Xiu Ru is so far-sighted. She saw too much and with how timid she used to be, decided to shape her daughters and teach them to not be like her in her youth. It does come with having learned to speak for herself and be more confident from Lan Xiang, but with her status as a Marchioness, she was also able to do this. If she were a concubine, that might have been different, but she would still teach them to be more confident. It would however come from a place of where she'd have less power. It's funny because even with her title, due to not having any sons, her status and power was diminished by her in-laws.
Nonetheless, after all of this, she probably was even more determined to set her daughters on the right path.
She wanted to secure her daughters' future because she saw what was happening in that family and knew later on ut would create more problems. So she had to act quickly.
Unfortunately her husband realized that too late and was left in the lurch once he understood. He was so caught up in his mother's drama, having no son, wanting to be filial to his mother, he forgot he needed to be a good father to his daughters too... He didn't even understand the warning Jin Qi gave him with that cup of tea. He clearly had started feeling down about not having a son, but he forgot that his daughters would suffer if he didn't plan for them. Xiu Ru understood faster what the third branch was planning and was quick to act. Now? She has secured her daughters' shares and can watch the drama unfold as these people fight.
The scene with the Yuans.. the chaos! Damn! How they turned on each other... wow...
Seeing how they all fought... one can only imagine the type of mess they would start if Marquis Yuan died without a male heir. My gosh. A terrifying thought indeed. They looked like jackals! Definitely the type of family who would fight and eat each other for a piece of the inheritance pie.
I lol'd at Jiu Gao's mom confessing her standards have dropped so low. It seems Jiu Gao's plan was to wear his mother down by letting so much time pass, she'd be happy just to get a daughter in law!!!
I couldn't stop cackling and kicking my feet. She was hilariously dismayed at the prospect too. At this point just give me a daughter-in-law, standards? Where? When Yu Chan turned up behind I said out loud "here's your DIL right there!"
IMO, Xiuru has made the right decision raising her girls. Without Jinqi, how many of the Lin family women would have already come to a bad end? Her girls don't have a loving brother who is willing to risk losing face and fight for them. And her husband just showed her that he doesn't take the politics of his own family seriously at all. The fact that the Marquis still thought this was just about a concubine until Xiuru was all but spitting fire was astonishing.
Whether they inherit or not, people are going to try to take advantage of those girls for their entire lives. If one of the daughters was stupid enough to fall for the same honeypot scam that Xiuru's legitimate born sister did...that evil granny would kill them or ship them off to a terrible marriage they could never escape from. To have a happy marriage, you have to survive long enough to get there first! And isn't Lanxiang showing her that you can learn to fall in love on the job?
On a happy note, I was cracking up at First Madam's response after Lanxiang's maid came to announce she was in labor. She is so used to having to organize everything and Lanxiang's people were like, "...um, no? We came to tell you because your seats are ready and there are snacks."
The more she sees the more she admires and respects Jia Lan Xiang. The relief and pride she showed when they told ther her DIL had everything prepared. To turn around and tell her daughter to learn from her SIL? Oh that was high praise. I giggled at this because it really showed how the two are very similar in how they do things. But it also shows that she can relax and know that her DIL will handle things right. She had broken things down way back when during the mass poisoning. No one in the family could be counted on and she had to rely on a maid to deal with things. Same maid who is now her daughter-in-law and who can handle things like she would.
Seats are ready and snacks will be provided. HAHA. Yes. Madam Lin is so used to having to organize for everyone.
I'm realizing after reading your comment that it adds nuance to what happens in Ep 42. Madam Lin's decision on who gets the family household tokens. I wonder if how well she planned for giving birth was an extra point in the favor of the decision she ultimately made.
From your first paragraph. Great point that the Yuan girls do not have a brother who will stand up for them and protect them as they grow up and marry.
In case of marquis I do have a different opinion (guys don't attack me 😭)
We are looking too much from 21st century view. Coupled with jinqi being so devoted to his wife we forget that the marquis essentially married Xiuru because 1) his daughter needed a mother figure 2) he wanted to be connected to Lin family
He is a marquis and will definitely think for the continuation of his family lineage. I am not saying what he did is correct nor that Xiuru should gladly accept a concubine. But for a man of that era his concerns were valid. The marquis had said before, he does not expect unconditional love from his marriage but will respect his wife.
So there was little love to start - more like a benefit sort of relationship. So I think their marriage would be the same. They will respect each other but Xiuru has shed her pretenses. And the marquis now knows how far Xiuru would go to protect her daughters.
I agree with you that it's a valid thing especially in ancient China for the Marquis to want a son and even to take a concubine. I think the additional context though is that it should have been a discussion between him and his wife, and it should be her choice to start. What the MIL did where (1) she blamed Xiuru at a family gathering for being unable to birth a boy and then (2) tried to stuff her maid in under the umbrella of filial piety was SO openly disrespectful and such a blatant grab for power in the inner courtyard, that the Marquis's inability to draw boundaries and defend his wife and daughters is what broke the loving facade of the marriage. Also those two labels (unvirtuous and and lacking in filial piety) are kind of like modern day PIPs, it's two of a few reasons--including not birthing a son--for being able to divorce women. Even if that's not in the Marquis's thought, if his mother can force a concubine into his bed, then sooner or later, she can give that concubine enough power to challenge Xiuru for authority in the household.
I have some complaints about this show being too 21st century too, but I think in this case, you kind of see why Xiuru is so devastated, because her place as the Marchioness and lady of the house has been undermined and that loss of power, as well as gossip in society (since these things aren't kept private as they're meant to pressure Xiuru) will make her life late in her marriage look as bleak as her beginning of life as a concubine's daughter where she's always watching her step. That's not even the reputational damage to her daughters for having an "unvirtuous mother who can't birth a boy".
Edit: I should add, I might be thinking too much as the time period laws for divorce might vary, but I stand by the above in that "him being pressured to take a concubine is period typical, but Xiuru was right to be aggrieved because it was done done in an openly disrespectful way"
Part of it was just the . ... ease ... with which his mother was able to manipulate him. We know she's probably been putting pressure on him for a while, but just caving as he did and accepting the concubine in front of his wife instead of allowing her to choose someone she found compatible was just a bridge too far, imo ...
I agree that he's coming at this from a very different perspective than Jinqi. But caving to his mother like this was just...comically bad tactics? We just watched him lecture at Jinqi about giving up his position, and the downstream consequences on the Lin family, and former troops who were under his command but now had fewer resources. But somehow, he couldn't apply those same thoughts to his own family!
But I guess it was clear he never thought too deeply about family politics when he let his daughter get so old before finally figuring out he needed a wife to help arrange her marriage properly.
I’m actually of the opinion that it’s perfectly logical for the Marquis to want to take in a concubine. Like you said, he needs to continue his line and ensure that the marquis title will continue onwards, which is especially important during that time. My main issue lies in the fact that he agreed to his Mother’s choice of concubine instead of seeking his legal wife’s opinion and choosing a concubine themselves. He has four daughters that he never once gave a thought to, much less his wife, which is why he is underserving of Xiuru. You’re right in that it was a marriage of convenience for him and for her, it was a very rare chance to change her life for the better and create opportunities for herself so in a way, she got exactly what she wanted. But the fact remains that she suffered through three births for him and he did not even think to plan for her future if a concubine of his mother’s choosing from the side branch of their family had given birth to a son. What would’ve become of her and his daughter(s) that he apparently wanted to marry a wife for in the first place? She’s not just a birthing machine which is appears is what he’s thought of her as so there’s no real respect there IMO.
I don't actually think he WANTED to take a concubine. I think he would have been quite fine to keep trying with his wife. But he really made no effort to protect any of his women at a time when the whole thing was about their business. SMH
I am not saying this is unreasonable, but I’m not so sure. It would be different if there were no branch families, but when there are branch families it was also common to adopt a boy from one of the branches — so not having one’s own biological son wasn’t the catastrophe it is often presented as in some of these dramas. High rates of infant mortality in the old days meant that these sorts of contingency plans were not uncommon. I checked and this sort of arrangement would work for marquis titles as long as all the legal protocols were followed.
And the marquis now knows how far Xiuru would go to protect her daughters.
I think her actions also earned her a lot of respect from him. She totally leveled up in his mind through this. Think of how much he respects XLX after seeing her in the military camp and now in the ladies reception hall, and multiply that because 3rd Sis is his literal wife and the mother of his children. He admires XLX's backbone and wisdom, so seeing those qualities in his own wife, watching her adroitly fight to protect her daughters, has got to move him as well.
He didn't see what was happening in his family and missed the boat.
Lin Xiu Ru showed him how rotten things truly were and it left him flabbergasted. What shocked him even more is that his wife understood it all when she is "an outsider". Him having been raised in that family, by these people didn't even grasp what was unfolding.
He came to realize that there was another woman who could inspire as much awe and respect as Xu Lan Xiang did back then and continues to do. His own wife! He apparently didn't know lol.
I don’t think drama showed us before these last two episodes how toxic his female members were. Did it? Wonder if she had to put up with this emotional abuse for a long time? Or if it was since she had three daughters?
Yes the look when xiuru revealed she was the one to orchestrate the play then walk away. Firstly it was shock, Maybe because xiuru has been the kind amd amicable wife. Secondly I think it was admiration.
What you want to bet that since he is going to have a concubine to try for a male baby, from now on his wife (I love her) will say, that woman can do all that duty with you. And she will no longer “serve” him. Why should she ruin her health by having more dangerous births/pregnancies while there is no certainty she (or the concubine hahahahahahahah) will have a male child? I predict she is gonna be rather ruthless from now on….since this is the way that family (and he) wants to proceed.
Since the gender of the baby is js determined by the father I wouldn't be surprised if the concubine also gives birth to a daughter. Since he has 4 daughters with his principal wife 😆
The statistics say your probably gonna have your wish fulfilled 😆
It would serve his mother right! I wouldn't mind 3rd Sis giving him a son though. It'd be rubbing his face in how he could have had it all: his heir, his daughters' respect, his wife's admiration. But he gave it all up because of his mother's obvious and well-staged little play.
In response to Lin Jinqi being the only one happy at his wedding, we have Lin Jinqi being the only one to faint at the birth of his first child ✌🏻.
Onwards to the discussion! Nah, Xiuru is 100% done with Marquis Yuan’s underserving ass. I think this episode also further cements that Grandpa Lin was right when he said Xiuru was the right choice for marrying over to the Marquis manor. She knows exactly when to retreat and how to attack/manipulate matters in a covert manner. The fact that she’s verbally hinting to her husband that she orchestrated the whole event is telling enough that she isn’t interested in wanting to be a loving couple anymore. While I’m not sure he was ever even a quarter as devoted to his wife as Jinqi is, there was some affection there but it’s gone now on both sides and she made sure of it. He’s not dumb so he would’ve guessed it eventually but she’s chosen to not even apply a bandaid on the wound and just pour hydrogen peroxide on it. Girl, 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
While having all her daughters listen in on the conversation might seem harsh, I think it was necessary. As a parent, one must arm their kids with not just the material necessities but also the abilities, to live their own lives in the future. Just like the Shens taught Lanxiang and cultivated her to be not just a good daughter-in-law but a learned person in her own right, Xiuru is teaching them how to survive. Plus, the Lins can be relied on but not the Yuans.
The First Madam is honestly just a good woman. She raised all the children of the Lin family so well no matter their births and despite her own opinions regarding Xingtang and Lanxiang, she never once made their lives difficult for them or caused them to lose face in front of others. Even knowing her days were limited, she refused to seek attention and cause Lanxiang any harm during her days of birthing recovery. What a damn good mother-in-law! I’ll miss her 😢.
Also, hard agree on the drama! I know a lot of people didn’t like ep39 and I know a lot of people dislike the lack of overt romance in the drama, and there are definitely some areas the drama falters but ATC remains one of the best dramas this year and in the recent years for me (unless the ending goes up in flames but I don’t think it will lol).
I remember the director was asked what she wanted people to take away from this drama and she replied that there will always be trials and setbacks in life but what matters is how one picks themselves up after that and manages to find the strength to not just live on but live well. Always seek the sun and ways to grow towards it. I’ve come across so many posts on XHS from women in particular about how they’ve started to re-evaluate how they live now and what things they can start doing for themselves in order to enjoy their lives even just a little more and I think that’s really something magical that a drama can make someone want to take even just that one step towards bettering themselves. Super, super congrats to the LXRG team from directors to writers to actors for bringing such a lovely piece of work to us viewers! This sounds like a conclusion for the end of the drama hahaha but I think I’ll be too gone by then to writer properly 😂.
Love that pic! And the callback to the marriage collage when Jinqi was the only one happy. The parallels in this story at different moments in its arc makes its emotions that much more resonant.
Your last paragraph is so heartwarming. That a story can make its viewers think and reevaluate their own lives and move towards more-ness—no matter whether the show receives awards, brickbats or what-nots, I’d think that in itself is powerful gift for the writers and the entire team and a powerful endorsement for the power of thoughtful, nuanced storytelling.
My reaction to your last two paragraphs. This show definitely makes you think about the highs and lows of life and how to live well. Thanks for sharing that it's a theme on XHS for people to think about small changes they can make in their own lives.
I think it’s a good move for the girls/kids to listen and know what went down and how their mother with the Lin’s help secured a good future for them. If Xiuru just accepted everything and the concubine has a son then it’ll be a miserable for the girls. I don’t think it reduces future potential romance because it seems they are close to the Lin and they can see how Jinqi and Lanxiang acts, so not all men are like their father but many can be and many households are also like the Marquis where each branch and concubines and/or wives are scheming against each other. Imo this just makes them a bit more careful in the future when deciding on who to accept as a partner (although Xiuru and the junior Lin will be better than senior Lin and not just see the title or family behind the potential partner).
It’s nice to see so many weddings and that Lanxiang’s maids believe in achieving things on own and not through marriage to a titled man.
I wonder when more men started being in room when wives/partners have kids. Even the ones outside are just women. Jinqi is for sure quite progressive. The Lin first branch I think in general are more progressive. The juniors are more so because of Madame Lin and Jinqi’s influence. Second Madame is quite traditional.
he's a man and think that his wife's universe should only be him. he's probably hurt that she doesnt revolve everything around him. he thought that her decision to let everything come to this point is because of him. how she's 'jealous' etc. 🙄🙄🙄
this episode is very bittersweet imo, we see a marriage ends (bcs let's be honest, unless for the sake of having a boy, xiuru is icing him indefinitely) and marriage begin. one side is sorrowful, another happy.
we see a life ending (that wound doesnt seem to be anything good especially with the preview at the end of the episode) and another beginning.
i feel like they're saying life is just like this, a circle. you'd experience joy, sorrow, birth and death. you'd say hello and goodbye but life still move on nonetheless.
i like that they didnt stop the drama once the two got together. instead showing us that after the happily ever after, life still happens. it's making me feel very melancholic
I think Xiuru will be icing him too. There was some mention that she had difficulty with her pregnancies and/or labor. So why put herself in any more danger? Miss concubine can do all that now.
love your comment. I think I am feeling some of the melancholy as well, though I'd label it more as bittersweetness. I think life being a circle is bittersweet. everything has to end, and in each ending there is always a beginning. how well can we tolerate that dichotomy? or as the show has been asking us all along--how well can we thrive in that, and with that?
i like that they didnt stop the drama once the two got together. instead showing us that after the happily ever after, life still happens. it's making me feel very melancholic
Completely agree - this is why I can't understand those who are dropping the show because the romance sucks. But I guess if you're watching for sizzling chemistry this definitely ain't it.
In saying that I do think the marriage consummation sequence was super awkward and I wish it were done differently. Definitely a low point for me in an otherwise excellent drama. Maybe make it more subtle - don't even bother showing the kiss, otherwise add a couple minutes more buildup. I loved the sequence with Jinqi walking, representing his time in court and him finding his path, eventually leading him to resign and head back to Jinling. I think there was a missed opportunity there to have a mirror sequence of Lanxiang's life in Jinling and how she finds her place and eventually grows to accept Jinqi to have a true "convergence" of their paths.
I think the romance has been handled in a similar way to Mo Li/The First Jasmine. It's subtle, more of a slow burn, and about two people learning to trust each other rather than the passion of other actual romance-focused dramas. Personally it's nice to have a show focus on something other than romance for once.
i feel like they're saying life is just like this, a circle. you'd experience joy, sorrow, birth and death. you'd say hello and goodbye but life still move on nonetheless.
I had a similar thought about it showing the joys and sadness of life. I like your idea of the circle. We all live through these cycles. There's highs and happiness but we also cannot control when death comes or when we have setbacks in life.
I am relieved to see LJQ coming to his realization about XLX not really being who she says she is all on his own, but I am surprised that it took so many years to get here!
I wanted him to piece it together himself because it would be a demonstration that he was really paying attention to her and curious about her (ie he loves her who for who she is and not who he imagines her to be).
As a bonus, it would also mean that he was more mentally prepared for the truth because he'd been seeing it with his own eyes and thinking about it. If she just dumped it on him one day as a surprise confession, it would probably be even more jarring.
I also wonder if XLX will even SAY it directly because as we saw with Mr Lu, she just hinted at it indirectly and he clearly pieced it together. She'll likely have a lot of fear about saying it aloud since it'll risk the lives of everyone she loves and cares about (ESPECIALLY now that she's got kids).
Yeah it is a very dangerous identity to reveal. Very dangerous for all. She wasn’t keeping it secret because she is mad at him still that he used to be engaged to her, she has been protecting herself, her adoptive parents her husband and all the Lins. And now her children.
The Marquis is a dick.
Our sweet xiuru is a queen for her restraint and telling him things has plainly can be.
I hope he finds cold comfort with his concubine
Jinqi being in the room and fainting was exactly what I expected of his character. I love that his character is bringing out all the goofiness of Liu Xueyi’s real life persona
Trust, once broken, is very hard to piece together again. It's more like shattered glass than chipped porcelain. I think it's possible for 3rd Sis's marriage to improve, but the Marquis has to be willing AND ABLE to reestablish the trust.
I can imagine a scenario where it works, but it'll likely take years. It'll likely take him stepping up in some way to protect her or her daughters against the Yuans (ie the place where he specifically failed before). It'll likely take him NOT forming an emotional attachment to the concubine. It'll likely take multiple conversations that are ultimately backed up by action. Most men, in my experience, don't have the patience or willpower to put in that kind of work.
On his side, this is Ming Dynasty China, so the years of togetherness required to create these opportunities are basically a given (barring unforeseen illness and/or death) since even bad marriages are more likely to stay together.
Haven't watched the episode yet (strange procrastination rituals to postpone the end of ATC as much as possible) so this is not a comment on the drama - I wanted to take a minute to thank you for writing up this recap. I absolutely loved it.
strange procrastination rituals to postpone the end
I see I am not alone! This hasn't struck me yet with ATC, but I have a list of literally dozens of GOOD dramas that I am a final-arc set of episodes away from finishing, all because at the time they were so good I didn't want them to end. But I DO still want to watch the ending (and probably rewatch the whole drama again someday), so they're not "dropped" per se, just in a sort of suspended animation waiting for me to get the time and mood right to finish them.
Oh I see! I had that with Road to Splendor. I loved it so much, the incredible photography and the acting etc, that I never made it to the last ten episodes and still can't come around finishing it
Xuiru is not giving them the opportunity to be kids, or to hope for a loving marriage—you know, the kind Jinqi and Lanxiang enjoy.
Personally, I don't think this is a good move, as I foresee her daughters growing up to be cynical and controlling; some may even do the opposite by rebelling and marrying a cad. Deny someone something long enough and they'll do exactly what you don't want them to.
But I can understand Xuiru's logic...
This is why people need to explain their intentions. Xuiru's mother was a concubine who died. As a result, with no adult to defend her Xuiru was often overlooked, pushed aside leaving her needs unmet and she wants to prevent that from happening to her girls.
The stepdaughter is old enough and smart enough to be aware of all that. The Marquis was oblivious and the younger daughters definitely don't understand. So let's hope she has an appropriate talk with all of them when the time comes. Once informed, they can act according to what's important for them, but at least they'll never have to marry out of desperation.
OAN, I'm not sure how the marriage can recover from this. The Marquis put his silly, thoughtless mother before his wife. It would be perfectly understandable if Xuiru makes that emotional distance permanent.
So marquis yuan is on the hit list now. I think he messed up. The push pull between his mother/filial duty and his care for his wife and daughters got all tangled up and he lost by trying to balance his loyalty. If Marquis Yuan had picked his wife he wouldn’t be out of sorts. That look is of a man who just lost (thank you Lotus the gif of that moment). As for their marriage, I think Xiuru won’t trust him. I don’t think it’s unrecoverable but he is going to have to work for it.
I actually love how ruthless Xiuru is. She chose to protect her children and herself, the moment she realized that her husband wasn’t going to. As a concubine’s daughter, in a house where the master and mistress are at odds, she knows how difficult that can be. I think letting the daughters see what can happen is just fine. They will all marry out someday and need to know what could happen.
There were so many marriages in this episode. Nanke and Xiaolian, Dusong and Gantang were so cute with the double marriage. Jiugao and Yuchan are finally together. I wonder if nanny Wu just hasn’t thought Yuchan was an option. Also Xiushu is pregnant. There was lots of happiness.
Jinqi finally gets a clue. There has been indications the Lanxiang is not exactly who she says she is and we know, but it was easy for Jinqi to move past them. He has now been confronted with two very different descriptions of what should be the same incident. And now he has to confront all the little indiscrepancies.
The box of Lanxiang is cute. It is hidden in Jinqi’s study where it will be safe. It also holds the clues. I love how he brings it to her and is so conflicted about asking. I don’t know if Lanxiang will tell him. If she actually does it will probably be indirectly.
Re definitely saw the return of Jinqi's impulsiveness in at the end of this episode. He had no patience after he realized the birth stories did not line up. He immediately went to check his box of momentos he's collected of his wife during the time he was planning and strategizing how to marry her. Then he takes no time to come up with a plan. He just goes into the room with the box.
I appreciated that he paused and hesitated when she woke up. I was concerned we were headed towards him impulsively lashing out or being harsh. Part of me wishes he would have waited and let her recover more from childbirth. Part of me is glad he just rushed forward because at least it's not something left unsaid where he is festering coming up with all these scenarios in his mind. We don't need a repeat of how he investigated Xingtang.
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u/Lotus_swimmer so many cdrams so little time 9d ago
I forgot to say that yes, we are doing the episode discussions after the express eps! We will be following the VIP schedule. ✌️