Episode 5 Summary: When What Needs To Be Cut Is Not, The Consequences Are Unfathomable

So This is Likely the Beginning of the Dark Episodes

Characters Added:
Tian Guan: A very wise and smart man, friend of Gien Nie

Yao Jia: A 'sorcerer' who is a close confidante of the Emperor, in charge of handling secretive and 'dirty' tasks

-The episode opens up to a misleadingly calm scene: The emperor is leisurely feeding fish when a retainer reports that the wanted posters of Li'er have been posted everywhere. The emperor explains that Yao Jia has been given a special task, and if he fails, he promises to give him a horrible death--what is that task I wonder?

-Elsewhere, Jin and Li'er are bidding goodbye to Lan'er and her father. Jin continues to state he does not know why Li'er is being pursued. Lan'er suggests it is because they stood against Qin in the battle of Pyang. Gie Nie gives Jin a note and tells him that if they are in trouble, give it to Tian Guan, someone who could surely help them (Let me just say I hate this--how the heck are they going to know where to find this fellow?)

-Meanwhile, Zheng stops by to visit the Chancellor whose retainer reports he has a cold and cannot see him. The retainer is different from other retainers, and a bit bold. The emperor learns that he is named Li Si, and is a desciple of Meng Ke. This interests Zheng, as he is not a fan of Confucius teachings. At the emperor's suggestion, he correctly deduces that Zheng's goal is to unite the other states by defeating them, and that now is the right time because they are weak. He then explains that Confucius teachings are restrictive and impractical if one wants to rule a country. He also offers advice when asked: that the Emperor essentially do whatever must be done, and to be ruthless if he is to succeed other wise weakness will basically lead to ruin--advice he takes.

-Meanwhile, Li'er and Jing meet their first obstacle. Li'er is again disguised as a boy, extremely poorly since she doesn't even try to conceal the fact that she, you know, has a chest. They say they are going to a wedding. It is extraordinarily suspicious, and naturally they attract attention. They barely manage to escape.

-Back at the capital, in a truly brutal but historically acurate scene, the Grand Queen Dowager (so his grandma) and Zheng stand while the Dowager Queen kneels with her young children from the Marquis who rebelled. The Grand Dowager essentially reubukes her for her poor judgment and action and then Zheng hands down judgment: that the children must die. The Queen Dowager begs and cries and pleas but he coldly tells her that she basically should have known better, and that if he weren't the Emperor they could live. So they are executed.

-While camping after their escape, Li'er again explains her dream is to live a normal life with Jing, and that she wants peace.

-Back to the emperor, who hosts a lavish dinner with his top ministers. Lu Buwei is present, as is the Queen Dowager, invited back to the palace from exile. Dancers perform a scandalous song, We Feng, about a woman's adultery, which prompts Lu Buwei to express his outrage. The emperor accuses him of plotting to usurp the throne by spreading false truths, that he is his child, and when his mother intervenes to explain Lu Buwei has only protected them, he takes the opportunity to humiliate her, and she realizes he has brought her back just for this. It is extremely cruel, and showcases his desire to accomplish revenge is achieved only to well. he is angry. He demotes the chancellor to prime minister, his mother is banished to the southern palace and no one may enter or leave without his permission. (Lu Buwei, by the way, stood up for his mother)

-In the aftermath Lu Buwei decides that it is time to step down, in spite of all that he has done for Qin.

-Elsewhere, Jing and Li'er are attacked by the Fire element soldier. Jing is injured but they are allowed to escape--it seems this was the plan all along, and the soldier states that she should soon be coming to the palace on her own free will.

-She runs into Tuan, how convenient, who is possibly one of the most spry old men out there, and she learns from him that Jing has been poisoned and she must go to the palace for the antidote. He also explains that this has all been a cleverly constructed plot by the emperor, which shows he wants her more than anything. She doesn't know why, and he says what I was yelling out the t.v.: because you are beautiful (basically, he wants to f**** you--that is the message. come on you were all thinking it)

So five episodes in, and the plot is established for her to enter the palace.

Notes: I think it is interesting how both Jing and Zheng love her, and while I am sure they appreciate her, she seems to represent things for the two of them. For Jing, I think it is hope, and for Zheng, I think it is something like innocence and loyalty--they both are things that they want-

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