Episode 6 recap: Yang Ying is being punished.
Everyone woke up, and Yuan Lu realized something was wrong. Someone must have poisoned them. Lord Du speculated that it was Yang Ying. Yang Ying was found and brought back. Ruyi stunned Yang Ying. Ning Yuan Zhou felt that Ruyi was innocent in matters other than assassination. He didn't want to agree to Ruyi's demands just now because he believed Ruyi, who currently had no internal strength, was not his opponent. Ruyi blew a few notes on the flute, and Ning Yuan Zhou became a bit impatient. Ruyi asked Ning Yuan Zhou to beg her. Yu Shi San heard the commotion and saw Ruyi forcing Ning Yuan Zhou. Yu Shi San helped Ning Yuan Zhou break free from Ruyi. Ruyi told Ning Yuan Zhou that there were concentric butterflies in his body and that it was impossible for him to ask her for help. In front of Ruyi, Ning Yuan Zhou removed the butterflies.
Ruyi warned Ning Yuan Zhou that he would regret it. Yu Shi San thought that Ning Yuan Zhou was not a real man for rejecting a beauty like Ruyi. Lord Du couldn't understand why Princess Yang Ying didn't want the emperor to return and why someone would poison them.
Ning Yuan Zhou didn't say anything and had someone assist Lord Du down. Ning Yuan Zhou thought that Yang Ying was just scared and felt that he had become lax, allowing others to take advantage of him. He ordered for increased vigilance in the future. Ruyi was angry that Ning Yuan Zhou despised her. At this moment, Yu Shi San approached Ruyi to recommend himself, constantly showcasing his charm as a man. However, Ruyi didn't even spare a glance at Yu Shi San. Qian Zhao couldn't bear to watch this and felt angry at how they treated Ruyi.
Ning Yuan Zhou couldn't help but have dreams of Ruyi overpowering him while he slept, causing him to wake up abruptly. When he remembered Ruyi's warning that he would regret it, he went to Ruyi's room but found that she wasn't there anymore. Yu Shi San felt that Ning Yuan Zhou was not good at enjoying life.
Ning Yuan Zhou hurriedly went to find Ruyi, disregarding his companions' attempts to stop him. Ruyi found Ling Long's lover and threatened him to reveal Yue San Niang's identity. Ruyi killed him, feeling that if Ling Long died, she didn't want to live alone. Ning Yuan Zhou found it strange that Ruyi already knew the truth but still asked. Ruyi said she wanted to confirm the truth.
Ruyi knew that Ning Yuan Zhou was afraid she would leave, but she wasn't that kind of person. Ning Yuan Zhou felt that Ruyi couldn't defeat him, but he would certainly abide by his own principles.
Ning Yuan Zhou didn't want Ruyi to leave the camp. Ruyi felt that she wasn't part of the Liudao Tang. Ning Yuan Zhou pretended to be weak, and Ruyi let go. Ruyi liked the cunning look on Ning Yuan Zhou's face and wanted him to father her child.
Ning Yuan Zhou knew that Ruyi was actually stubborn but soft-hearted. Thinking that Ruyi was angry, Ning Yuan Zhou apologized to her, but he was surprised by Ruyi's enthusiastic response. Ning Yuan Zhou couldn't handle it and even remarked that Ruyi's performance was mediocre when he left.
Ning Yuan Zhou told Yu Shi San not to intentionally tease and disrespect Ruyi. Yu Shi San politely apologized to Ruyi. Yang Ying couldn't understand why everyone was deceiving her. Ning Yuan Zhou wanted to kill Yang Ying's maid. Yang Ying felt that if her maid died, she wouldn't want to live either. Yang Ying believed that she acted that way to save Ning Yuan Zhou. Ning Yuan Zhou stood with Yang Ying on the balcony and told her that although the emperor was corrupt, she was still a member of the Yang family and should take responsibility for this matter. The lives of the people were in their hands, and since they had persisted, they shouldn't give up.
Yang Ying felt that she couldn't escape anymore. Ning Yuan Zhou wanted to strike Yang Ying, but Lord Du pleaded on her behalf. Ruyi felt that it was her responsibility to punish Yang Ying, and everyone thought Ruyi was heartless. Ruyi told Yang Ying that even if she returned, no one would admit that Ruyi intentionally sent her to her death. Ruyi taught Yang Ying to persist in herself to find happiness. Ning Yuan Zhou was grateful to Ruyi for helping him, and Ruyi liked the way Ning Yuan Zhou stood on a high place just now. She felt that Ning Yuan Zhou was being too self-deluded, as she only wanted a child and had no romantic interest in him. Yuan Lu overheard, and Ning Yuan Zhou pretended to remain calm while answering Yuan Lu's question.
I used to really like Liu Shi Shi when I was young, and I also wanted to see Liu Yu Ning's portrayal of a domineering Jun Hou (bending). This drama presents the characters in a three-dimensional way, without rigidly depicting their traits.
1. The script is rich, and the supporting roles are not merely tools for the main characters' romance. The plot doesn't become predictable, and it follows the logical thinking of normal people.
For example, when portraying the two leads, they don't always have a stern face or deliver lines in a stiff manner when trying to showcase qualities like decisiveness. Instead, they dare to capture other humorous and warm traits, blending them into everyday life, which makes you believe that these characters are truly fleshed-out individuals.
2. The post-production is impressive, with well-placed music and cinematography that serves the storytelling rather than showcasing technical prowess. The plot editing is tight and doesn't drag on.
3. The costume and makeup design is exquisite and doesn't fall into the trap of cheap, mass-produced costumes. However, some adjustments could be made to certain characters' hairstyles.
For example, most of the hairstyles for the upper-class women feature symmetrical tassels on both sides with a hairpin in the middle, which could be further refined.
4. The action scenes are smooth and free from artificial moves.
It is recommended to further enhance the fight scenes as a major highlight for promotional purposes.