Episode 11 recap: Stalin was falsely accused and imprisoned.
Ming Yue was commissioned by Zi Chuan Xiu to teach Zi Chuan Ning the art of playing the qin. However, Zi Chuan Ning, who had been deceived by Zi Chuan Xiu for many years, had no knowledge of playing the qin whatsoever. Zi Chuan Ning, who was spoiled since childhood and cared a lot about her reputation, saw that Ming Yue showed no signs of relaxing and claimed that she hadn't eaten and her hands and feet were weak, thus implying that she wasn't playing the qin well.
Xiao Mei was very worried about the princess, and Zi Chuan Xiu, who was listening nearby, was also very concerned. However, in order to help Zi Chuan Ning get through this difficult situation, he resisted the urge to go see Zi Chuan Ning. Not long after, Zi Chuan Xiu heard a pleasant sound and hurried over. As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect," and Zi Chuan Ning finally managed to play a beautiful piece. Zi Chuan Xiu couldn't help but express his joy at finally hearing Zi Chuan Ning play a nice tune, which hurt Zi Chuan Ning deeply.
Yang Ming Hua offered a high price to buy information from Xiao Long in an attempt to turn the tide. Xiao Long was someone who followed the money and was willing to sell information at a high price, so they reached an agreement. Yang Ming Hua was satisfied that Xiao Long made this choice and implied that things were about to change, and Xiao Long had to make the right choice.
Xiao Long didn't want to take sides, but he was threatened by Yang Ming Hua, and he knew that this time he wouldn't be able to successfully avoid it. Ka Dan was moved by the care and concern that Stalin had shown her during this time, and she developed a fondness for him. Stalin was frequently seen at the Iron Hoof Forge, but the owner of the forge had close ties to the Northern Tribe and clearly suspected that Stalin had close contacts with the enemy.
Stalin looked at the share-dividing ledger with his name on it, along with an official seal. In fact, the official seal was left by Stalin when he released the sky lantern for Ka Dan. In order to protect Ka Dan, Stalin didn't reveal the truth and ended up being imprisoned and tortured. Zi Chuan Xiu came to ask Stalin, knowing that his younger brother would never attempt an escape.
Stalin felt that someone was plotting against him from behind, and it was possible that Yang Ming Hua and Xiao Long had joined forces. At this time, escaping from prison would undoubtedly cause trouble for General Ge Ying Xing. Zi Chuan Xiu wanted Zi Chuan Ning to ask her uncle for help, but Zi Chuan Ning hesitated and told Zi Chuan Xiu that Zi Chuan Shen Xing wouldn't help.
Ka Dan wanted Zi Chuan Xiu to take her to testify for Stalin, but Zi Chuan Xiu believed that this matter was the most significant and serious, so it couldn't be brought to court. Zi Chuan Shen Xing believed that Stalin, who had been by his side for many years, would never betray him.
Zi Chuan Xiu knew that if Zi Chuan Shen Xing went to plead with Yang Ming Hua, the situation wasn't as simple as it seemed. Zi Chuan Shen Xing said that Yang Ming Hua wanted to cripple Stalin, and Zi Chuan Xiu raised an eyebrow but thought that it might be for the best to cripple Stalin.
Stalin was being tortured in prison.
Ge Ying Xing wanted to find Zi Chuan Ming Wang. After hearing that Stalin had been crippled, Yang Ming Hua felt relieved and instructed Di Lin to stop Ge Ying Xing from bringing reinforcements. Zi Chuan Shen Xing saw Stalin's severe injuries and pretended to have chest pain, begging Yang Ming Hua to release Stalin.
When Yang Ming Hua heard Zi Chuan Shen Xing saying that he was the closest person to him, he immediately questioned Stalin's identity, but Zi Chuan Shen Xing remained silent. Ka Dan felt guilty seeing Stalin's severe injuries. Di Lin led the troops back to the capital.
Di Lin knew that Yang Ming Hua must have summoned him for an important matter this time. Lin Xiu Jia was very worried about Di Lin. Yang Ming Hua looked at the tombstone and decided to rebel. Although Zi Chuan Shen Xing knew it was Zi Chuan Ning's birthday, something significant was happening on that day, and everyone had complex thoughts.
Zi Chuan Shen Xing did not appear, so Yang Ming Hua sent someone to urge Zi Chuan Shen Xing to come. When Zi Chuan Shen Xing appeared, he claimed to be unwell. Yang Ming Hua wanted to preside over the situation but was accused of being a traitor. Di Lin killed the person who made the accusation.
Zi Chuan Ning knew that something significant was about to happen and was afraid that Zi Chuan Xiu would die like this. Zi Chuan Xiu assured Zi Chuan Ning that he would return soon. Before leaving, the two of them tearfully performed a duet. Zi Chuan Ning reminded Zi Chuan Xiu to stay safe.
Ge Ying Xing did not call for reinforcements and found himself isolated and unable to enter the capital. Wei Xing couldn't bear to see this and advised Ge Ying Xing to leave, as he had received orders to kill him. Ge Ying Xing actually knew Wei Xing's identity. He had convinced Zi Chuan Yuan Xing to place someone by his and Yang Ming Hua's side, with instructions to kill him on the spot if he rebelled. However, Ge Ying Xing had no intention of rebelling.
Ge Ying Xing knew that the order received by Wei Xing must have come from Zi Chuan Yuan Xing, and he must have been confident in eliminating Yang Ming Hua, which made Ge Ying Xing's existence a threat. Ge Ying Xing knew that he must die.
Even though the male lead is still in the process of growing up, he still believes in brotherhood and dreams of love. He still has that immature and rascally appearance, pretending to be lecherous and money-hungry.
But once this male lead grows up and becomes a bit more mature, the drama might come to an end because the beginnings of their three stories were already filmed with the three elderly characters in the first few episodes.
I was attracted to watch it because of General Zhong Lang. The role of Xiuren is quite challenging. It requires natural transitions between playfulness and aloofness, which demands honed acting skills.
The portrayal of the antagonist is quite three-dimensional, and Yang's inner world is rich! I haven't read the original work, but it's said to be a Western fantasy adaptation.
I feel like the drama is a bit mixed. There are too many indoor scenes and dialogues, which drag down the pace. If there were more fantastical portrayals of the background world, it could greatly enhance the viewing experience.