episode 34 spoilers ahead

Spoilers Ahead!

1.We open to Li Mu/Li Gu strangling Zhinu. He leaves him alive, he states, because it would break Ru Yi's (Meniang) heart if he died. Zhinu points out he is going to leave him alive for the exact same reason. He also calls him a coward for sneaking looks at her but Li Mu states his kind of love involves giving her a choice to choose her path (so progressive!).

2.Elsewhere, Wang Gong Gong tells Meniang not to be discouraged despite being demoted to a palace maid because the emperor still thinks of her. He reminds her the hardest thing for the emperor to do is to trust someone (he once drank wine his brother poisoned). There are a number of books on the table waiting for the Emperor to read. Gong Gong explains that Chancellor Zhangsun has detailed and followed the lives of descendants of all the people the emperor has killed, to be aware of their movements in case they seek revenge (historically, this time period frequently allowed family members to live in order that the persons executed had people to make offerings to them in this life. Executing entire clans was uncommon and developed after this period)

3. The emperor either trusts her or has another game to play because he allows her to make copies in his presence and even tasks her with waking him from his nap. It is highly evident to the viewer that she cares for him. Before she leaves she 1)manages to steal the book with Li Mu's info in it 2)admits to the emperor that while she knew about the crown prince's rebellion she did not know he had plans to depose him/make him retire and the emperor congratulates her for finally defending herself which pleases him. We also learn after she leaves that the emperor told his servant to tell her everything that was relayed to her (so he is planning something)

4.Elsehwere, Prince Wei contends with the issue of Zhinu. Because of his appearance the courtiers are neutral to him again. He maintains he is not worried about his little brother because Meniang is pulling his strings. His primary concern is why the emperor is delaying the naming of the crown prince. He believes he can gain this info through Xu Hui, who is friends with Meniang because he believes the emperor may tell the latter. In addition, he comments on how women can be scary: Xu Hui's jealousy is so powerful that she would kill Meniang in order to avoid living with the guilt that she betrayed her (thus he can let another do his work).

5. Elsewhere, Xu Hui reads about Chengji (the man she suggested as the mole) and learns that there is no way it could have been him, and suspects that Meniang is suspicious of her....

6.Later, Meniang is summoned by the emperor. So is Li Gu. Li Gu is told to wait outside Ganglu palace. The emperor points out that the book with Li Xiaogong's info is gone (he is a relative of Li Gu). he wants Menaing to read the summary that was prepared before it went missing. He then asks her if she has anything to say. She refuses to say anything and asks he punish her. He slaps her so hard she bleeds and tells her to get out and that he never wants to see her again. She leaves, and stops Li Gu from rushing in. She tells him that everything tonight was not accident and that he should leave (the emperor is aware that there is a connection between them and that he is in the city and of his identity). Li Gu yells at her for allowing her dignity to fall for such a man who mistreats her. He finally says he will leave the city on the day of his parents death day. After, she burns the record on Li Gu.

7.Meniang suddenly chases after him and tells him that she has gambled a lot on this love and gotten no return. She agrees to leave with him and will ask Consort Yang to help her.

8.Meanwhile, the emperor has a meeting with his people and confirms they have evidence and the identity of all the people in Wei Yuanchen's clique (at court and in the army). Arrests are made, and Minister Wei is arrested (He is Consort Wei's uncle)..

9.Meniang visits Consort Yang and asks for her help to leave. She explains she is leaving because Li Mu's parents were burned alive and he alone escaped. She explains that the emperor did not tell this. Consort Yang suspects she is doing this for the emperor's safety but she denies it (oh it is totally for him). Yang agrees to help her. In regards to Prince Wei, they plan to plant a false rumor before she leaves because Meniang suspects he is nervous and his spies will be everywhere....

Comments:More drama. I look forward to seeing this dance with the emperor end because his inability to trust others (which I can understand) can lead to a lot of issues.

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