Warning any photos included my recaps will be of poor quality, I’m sorry but they don’t exist in HD. In case you were wondering, this is a C+P from my other blog which has problems that I need to rectify.
Recap:
We start off with the typical flash forward in true Huan Zhu Ge Ge manner; our two leading ladies have run into dire trouble again. It’s no different this time as they’re about to receive the capital punishment (i.e. getting their head chopped off in the Qing Dynasty) as if they’re destined to be executed one way or another.
Some background info: Read Wikipedia, it’s pretty comprehensive! But the general gist is that Xiao Yan Zi, a commoner, assumed the position of a princess due to a series of misunderstandings. The real princess being Xia Zi Wei who is her sworn sister, at the end of Season 1 they return to their originally positions but they are betrothed to Yong Qi (5th prince) and Er Kang respectively meaning that Xiao Yan Zi is a daughter-in-law to the Emperor so she gets to keep her title and stay in the palace and to keep her head.
Back to the story unfolding, there’s a procession going on in the streets, the commoners are gossiping about what the two princesses have done to anger the Emperor (Huang Shang) whilst Xiao Yan Zi and Zi Wei arrive on the back of a horse drawn carriage in handcuffs. All the while a distressed Yong Qi and Fu Er Kang watch helplessly from the crowd- you’ve got to feel sorry for these two, I mean their love interests put them through so much. The people of course love the two princesses as they’re from the people, even breaking free to plead with the officials to spare the lives of the princesses.
BUT cue in music here, first off Zi Wei spots Er Kang and crew (Er Kang, Liu Hong and Liu Qing) but let’s face it she only really notices Er Kang, and secondly an imperial edict arrives telling the official that the Emperor orders the death of the princesses without fail.
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| Er Kang, Liu Qing, Yong Qi (5th Prince) and Liu Hong watching from the side lines |
Dissolve to white and we pick up our story from 6 months ago where we’re introduced to the Uyghur people who are making their way to Beijing to visit the Emperor. Here our focus is on this new girl, the princess of the group who shall play a major role in the future plot. Although if you’re making your way to the palace then you’re sure to have enemies, I mean that’s why they always bring the whole enchilada (makes me wonder whose left back at home base) to fend off surprise attacks from other Uyghur people who just happen to be stalking you so that they can take away the princess, Han Xiang. And for the record, the ‘King’ (don’t know what to call him) has like his whole army fighting against 10 people (how disproportionate but I love my Chinese martial arts so I’m not complaining even though it’s all fake. I mean how cool would it be to be able to ‘fly’ Chinese style where you seem to be running in air). So it’s only expected that the leader of the coup gets stabbed but it typical drama fashion you need not worry because 99.99% of the time, important live or live long enough for what they’re needed to do in which case it’s feasible for them to die later on. Oh and it turns out that the leader and Han Xiang are lovers (go figure) and you get the case of ‘save yourself and leave me behind’…. Stare at each other for what seems like a lifetime meanwhile everyone is fighting amongst you, guy leaves because let’s face he’s badly injured and that’s how that rendezvous ended.
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| Han Xiang, the Uyghur princess |
Liu Qing and Liu Hong are opening up a hotel/Guest House and Xiao Yan Zi, Xi Wei, Er Kang, Yong Qi, Jin Suo (might just refer to them as ‘The Gang’ from now on for convenience) and the servants are all there to help them paint and what not (note that Fu Er Tai has been written out of this season, he married Saiya last season so he’s off in Tibet for the entirety of the season. Have got to say that his presence was missed, he provided comic relief as that lovely and all important third wheel). Everyone is merry, partly because of Xia Yan Zi’s character and her shortcomings when it comes to Chinese idioms (you can’t help but adore her) but in their quiet conversation Yong Qi and Er Kang mention the Empress Dowager and we know that we’re supposed to love to hate her so that can only mean bad news as well as another new character Qing Er who has some tie to Er Kang. And whenever Xiao Yan Zi is involved expect the worse, doing one of her flips with a bucket of paint in hand she manages to get everyone splashed with paint and with that comes bad news, the Empress Dowager is coming back earlier than expected. Apparently she’s even worse than the Empress (Huang Hou) in how she expects a princess to act.
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| Xiao Yan Zi up to her usual trouble making self |
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| ....and everyone is left to deal with the after effects of Xiao Yan Zi's actions |
Cut to the Empress and her nanny Rong Mou Mou, (the two bitches) and they continue to resent our two beloved princess because let’s face even though the Emperor has many princesses and princes we’re really only ever going to acknowledge Xiao Yan Zi, Zi Wei and Yong Qi. The two resident bitches start plotting their next move against Xiao Yan Zi and Zi Wei because the arrival of the Empress Dowager can be manipulated to be in their favour, of course we should recognise the root of the problem with the two bitches and that’s Rong Mou Mou who seriously can’t help herself but to hate on others. Sorry to whomever I offend but she seriously is an old hag and I’m glad that the characters occasionally refer to her as that because she’s so spiteful speaking words to the Empress just to spark her renewed anger and distaste for Concubine Ling, the Fu household, the two princesses and just about everyone besides their own circle of people but it’s the reality because it’s dynasty China and there are some serious power struggles going on.
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| The two resident bitches |
Back to the palace and our favourite Shu Fang Zhai (where the two princesses live) everyone is hurriedly getting the girls looking decent despite having paint splashed all over their face. And so they begin their mad rush to greet the Empress Dowager (practical lesson here don’t be late) with Zi Wei falling over every corner, you can’t blame her after you see the shoes that they wear (how they even walk just baffles me).
We finally put a face to the title of Empress Dowager and Concubine Ling is expecting! And to add to their troubles of trying to sneak in undetected (because going under the radar totally works) they happen to find themselves right in front of the Empress Dowager, Emperor, Empress, and crew. It goes without saying they make a horrid first impression and I think that is even an understatement. Finally, Qing Er and Er Kang have a moment.
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| The Empress Dowager |
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| These two are so pitiful, their love interests make them worry so much |
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| Qing Er the favourite grand-daughter of the Empress Dowager, and the niece of the Emperor |
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| Arriving in spectacular fashion and notice Xiao Yan Zi's wonky head dress |
The next part isn’t so important but it’s basically an interrogation of Emperor by Empress Dowager of last season’s events even going so far as to question the engagement of Xiao Yan Zi and Yong Qi (how dare she!).
And because of Xiao Yan Zi’s horrid first impression, Er Kang and Yong Qi begin to lecture her about etiquette and how to act when she’s summoned by the Empress Dowager and surprise, surprise they’re summoned and that’s when the episode ends.
Ending Comments:
I hope you enjoyed reading this recap, I know that Wikipedia does a good job of capturing the plot line but you get any information about all the little moments throughout the drama that we fan girls live for because nothing is better than OTP developments.
Please comment to give me feedback on to improve my recaps for future episodes.
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