Five Stars

Seeing how Lady Shijiu tries to fight for equality with her brothers, and how something as insignificant as how she dressed meant a great deal to her was very interesting. I like how it forces me to empathise with someone who has been labeled the villain from Duan Wu's point of view.

Also, the point when Zhang recognises the difference between he and Duan Wu and when DW accepts said differences is pretty significant. The last time Zhang tried to be 'the voice of reason', DW tried to make herself fit in Zhang's view of her and of the world. This time, she accepts that while what he says sounds nice in an ideal world, she will not always be in a position where she can make those good-natured (and maybe a little naïve) choices. I like how she initially looks struck by his words, and then quickly resolutes that she's the kind of person who'd throw her good nature away if it would cost her the lives of those who mattered to her.

Lastly, the auction scene in this episode was simply holy shit...

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Episode 10: We are from different worlds.

This beginning of the episode was quite philosophical. The conversation between ZJR and DW shows the difference in their worldviews, and where they both came from. He asks her how she became so insensitive and she says: I've always been like this, if it weren't for them in this place of punishment, it would be us (as if she were saying: it's fair that it's like this, it's what they deserve, this is justice). Then, he leaves and says he's going to look for another place to live. She orders someone to keep whipping the tormentors who mistreated her brother. But her eyes are full of tears.DW takes Mr. Zhao to the secret basement where YZJ has hidden the riches. Although she received the blood pearl (the one worth 3 million), she did not give up on her mission to acquire all the pearls (as YZJ wants). She will only use part of the treasure to achieve the mission. Kang Ju went to visit YZJ in prison and told him about DW's plans. YZJ admired her calmness. And she did not allow Kang Ju to stop her. Kang Ju warned YZJ that the family is even selling stores to acquire that whole batch of pearls. YZJ comments that it is because there are only a few days left for the tribute pearls, only 10 days, and this family would really invest a lot in this. But Kang Ju asks YZJ about what they are trying and so does DW (is the stake too high this time?). YZJ did not answer. His friend gives him the medicine and asks him not to forget to take it. Cui Shi Jiu and her father argue over what happened to the pearls (he blames her and says the loss is too high). However, there is another dilemma between father and daughter (he wants her to behave like a woman and wear women's clothes). But she says that she can be a woman and a negotiator, that is possible. But her father does not accept this choice of hers and slaps her 3 times and orders her to change her clothes, but she always says no. Until she leaves, but her father feels bad and falls down sitting down, and the assistant asks him to calm down.At the auction of YZJ's assets, the final card was played by DW, who gave up on making the last bid. Mr. Cui did not listen to his daughter's advice and signed the purchase contract, but when they opened the treasure chests (they found only trash), the signed contract was irrevocable. Mr. Xu had made a deal with YZJ, who appeared at the end of the auction, free from prison and next to the female accountant whom they thought he had murdered. On the deck of the ship, YZJ, DW and everyone else rejoiced and he decided to give each of them rewards. The master asked for the retirement reward. He was praised for his loyalty and was given a store in a certain city as a reward to continue his retirement. YZJ said that in the Yan Trade Board, it is always the rule of punishment and reward. And he added, but the law of the jungle continues.Then, in the office, YZJ and DW talked and praised each other. She explained that she had realized the master's trick because the pearls were not from the South Sea, but from the city of Hepu, and that if she sold all his possessions he would be ruined, and he would not be so careless. She then politely said that he was intelligent and sharp-minded, but he corrected her: You can say straight out that I am cunning. But... trade is like war, there are always winners and losers.DW went to the bow of the ship to enjoy the view and from there she could see the window of YZJ's office. He began to play the music of Trieste on that harmonious instrument. His eyes filled with tears, he saw her there on the bow, and she smiled happily, enjoying the music, the sky and even the raindrops that began to fall.Xu Nan Ying talks to Mr. Cui and gives him an ultimatum that will mean the complete ruin of the Cui family. Mr. Cui doesn't seem to accept it. And his daughter, Cui Shi Jiu, gives him advice that he doesn't accept. He orders her to be confined to her room. And there she cries and says: I couldn't save my father, nor my mother, nor myself. She remembers a conversation with her mother, on a certain day in the past when she suffered another punishment from her Father. (She reminds me a lot of someone else from the drama, YZJ, the male lead of the drama.)Cui Shi Jiu will try a desperate action to take the Cui family's ledgers from Zhang's hands and that she will prevent him from leaving the city. She claims that the Cui family is willing to admit guilt over the tribute pearls and will prepare the pearl lotus for King Tan. And that Xu should trust her, because the Cui family definitely doesn't want to die. (She asks Xu to intercede for her family because in a few days everything will be resolved).Zhang and DW are at the fair enjoying the taste of candied fruits and find themselves caught in a trap. DW comes face to face with his mother's killer. But the two, with the help of Zhang's subordinate who arrives in time (manage to defeat the enemies who attack them), but one of them manages to escape. Zhang holds DW who still wanted to run after her mother's killer and she shouts: Zhang, is there still justice in the world? But Zhang reminds her that the Cui family's mistakes in pearl collecting can still be resolved, prevented by their actions. And that there is justice, yes. Zhang shows love and care for Duan Wu and the moment the two of them together face the enemies they really seem like a couple. The enemy even says: What a beautiful couple! (Could this be a premonition for the end of the drama???). Cui Shi Jiu hears the excuses of the henchman (the killer of Duan Wu's mother) and her look is that of a stoner who has not given up the hunt yet. The episode ends with Zhang calming Duan Wu down and handing her a document that could put an end to the corruption of the Cui family who failed to deliver the pearl tribute correctly every year.

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