Episode 11 recap: Yu Minghe framed Pei Xun.
There was a mysterious person who took a booklet and gave it to a child, instructing the child to deliver it to the Eastern Palace. Han Zhen happened to come by and bought the booklet. Han Zhen gave the booklet to Pei Xun, which contained information about the previous dynasty, subtly mocking the incompetence of the current dynasty. Pei Xun expressed that Pei Hao wouldn't be so foolish and that it was likely Yu Minghe acting on his own accord.
Han Zhen wanted to apprehend Yu Minghe, but Pei Xun advised against drastic measures, as it could lead to many people taking advantage of the situation to eliminate dissidents. He didn't want to involve Liu Yueqing in this. Han Zhen decided to capture Yu Minghe and temporarily detain him.
A maid came to inform Liu Yueqing that Yu Minghe had disappeared without a trace, rumored to have entered the Eastern Palace and not come out. Liu Yueqing felt that Pei Xun had always been petty and suspected that he might have imprisoned Yu Minghe. She quickly went to find Pei Xun, stating that if she had offended him, he should come to her directly, but if Yu Minghe had offended him, she was willing to bear the punishment on his behalf.
Pei Xun took Liu Yueqing to see Yu Minghe and explained to her what Yu Minghe had done. Yu Minghe claimed to have lost his senses and accused Pei Xun of still having feelings for Liu Yueqing, urging her to plead with Pei Xun on his behalf. Liu Yueqing was disappointed in Yu Minghe's true nature. She hoped that Pei Xun wouldn't harm other members of the Yu family, so Pei Xun ordered Yu Minghe to be given thirty lashes and permanently barred from holding any official positions.
I started watching because the cast looked good and the costumes and styling were well-done. As I delved into the storyline, I realized that the male and female leads were quite impressive, especially the male lead with his commanding presence, temperament, and gaze.
He portrayed the character very well, exuding the aura of a royal prince. In short dramas, it's rare to find such quality, and thankfully, the rest of the cast also delivered their performances without being overly exaggerated.
It's really good. I'm going to continue watching.