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Nirvana in Fire (rewatch), Episode 7
I'm on Episode Seven! AKA, "Mei Changsu Knows (Literally) Where the Bodies are Buried".
Things I noticed on this rewatch:
* It's Jingrui who goes down the well and discovers the bodies - which makes this a rather chilling foreshadowing of the later plot that metaphorically brings to light Jingrui's families' skeletons in the closet. Jingrui isn't through with being Mei Changsu's pawn yet, but thus far he hasn't noticed his status. Ironically, we see him consoling his brother who has been used as a pawn in their father's political scheme.
*Mei Changsu is very silent during the well scene; both times, in fact. Yujin and Jingrui are loudly bickering and teasing each other ("This is a rare chance for you to suck up to me!" - "No, I'll touch you with my muddy hands!" They're so adorable, argh), so it's easy to miss how quiet Mei Changsu is, a few steps away. It's the same when the Magistrate is there to remove the bodies; Yujin and Jingrui discussing the findings, Mei Changsu only speaking to explain how he's never been to this house before (but we know Fei Liu has been there...) and helpfully give his current residence.
* Nihuang is heavily pushing for some kind of reaction or confirmation! Every move he makes, she's scrutinising, and then she proceeds to direct bait: she tries discussing Jingyan, then she drags him by the entrance to his family's old house and makes what - with the benefit of rewatch hindsight - is a pretty strong veiled statement that she's still loyal to the Chiyan Army/the Lins, and to her engagement to Lin Shu.
* This is the episode that made me realise a needed a tag for The Lies of Mei Changsu, because he drops so many egregious falsehoods here!
How would I know the character of Prince Jing? I've barely met him.
This is just an old case from twelve years ago. It has nothing to do with my plan now.
My relationship with the princess is strictly platonic.
Is that thing [jade ornament from Yujin's dead grandfather] very important?
It's a shame I can't help with the investigation.
THIS. MAN. I'm ded.
* Yujin is generally the last one to figure something out, and the first one to panic, but he has his moments of surprising intuition. He's the one who persuades Jingrui that they should go about their normal plans instead of escorting Xia Dong to the Bureau to report, because their presence might hinder her. Interestingly, he also finds the well "creepy" and wants to leave after almost falling in, despite having no reason to think it's more than a hole in the ground at that point.
* The Emperor's actions are interesting in this episode! When he receives Nihuang's report that she won't be marrying any of her suitors, he's upset and angry, but phrases it entirely in selfless terms: she doesn't appreciate his hard work, he's trying to make sure she has a stable future via marriage. A minute later, though, he's far more political and self-focused: Yunnan is a powerful territory and he won't let her go back so easily; he'll find some way to keep her in the Capitol.
His treatment of Jingxuan and Jinghuan is likewise doubled: he sees through their scheming and realises that neither of them will handle the Prime Minister's case fairly, but later laments to Meng that they're "immature" and is disappointed at their behaviour in something that affects his rule of the country. He doesn't seem able to see the link between his own methods of ruling and the way both Princes treat political power...
Things I noticed on this rewatch:
* It's Jingrui who goes down the well and discovers the bodies - which makes this a rather chilling foreshadowing of the later plot that metaphorically brings to light Jingrui's families' skeletons in the closet. Jingrui isn't through with being Mei Changsu's pawn yet, but thus far he hasn't noticed his status. Ironically, we see him consoling his brother who has been used as a pawn in their father's political scheme.
*Mei Changsu is very silent during the well scene; both times, in fact. Yujin and Jingrui are loudly bickering and teasing each other ("This is a rare chance for you to suck up to me!" - "No, I'll touch you with my muddy hands!" They're so adorable, argh), so it's easy to miss how quiet Mei Changsu is, a few steps away. It's the same when the Magistrate is there to remove the bodies; Yujin and Jingrui discussing the findings, Mei Changsu only speaking to explain how he's never been to this house before (but we know Fei Liu has been there...) and helpfully give his current residence.
* Nihuang is heavily pushing for some kind of reaction or confirmation! Every move he makes, she's scrutinising, and then she proceeds to direct bait: she tries discussing Jingyan, then she drags him by the entrance to his family's old house and makes what - with the benefit of rewatch hindsight - is a pretty strong veiled statement that she's still loyal to the Chiyan Army/the Lins, and to her engagement to Lin Shu.
* This is the episode that made me realise a needed a tag for The Lies of Mei Changsu, because he drops so many egregious falsehoods here!
How would I know the character of Prince Jing? I've barely met him.
This is just an old case from twelve years ago. It has nothing to do with my plan now.
My relationship with the princess is strictly platonic.
Is that thing [jade ornament from Yujin's dead grandfather] very important?
It's a shame I can't help with the investigation.
THIS. MAN. I'm ded.
* Yujin is generally the last one to figure something out, and the first one to panic, but he has his moments of surprising intuition. He's the one who persuades Jingrui that they should go about their normal plans instead of escorting Xia Dong to the Bureau to report, because their presence might hinder her. Interestingly, he also finds the well "creepy" and wants to leave after almost falling in, despite having no reason to think it's more than a hole in the ground at that point.
* The Emperor's actions are interesting in this episode! When he receives Nihuang's report that she won't be marrying any of her suitors, he's upset and angry, but phrases it entirely in selfless terms: she doesn't appreciate his hard work, he's trying to make sure she has a stable future via marriage. A minute later, though, he's far more political and self-focused: Yunnan is a powerful territory and he won't let her go back so easily; he'll find some way to keep her in the Capitol.
His treatment of Jingxuan and Jinghuan is likewise doubled: he sees through their scheming and realises that neither of them will handle the Prime Minister's case fairly, but later laments to Meng that they're "immature" and is disappointed at their behaviour in something that affects his rule of the country. He doesn't seem able to see the link between his own methods of ruling and the way both Princes treat political power...
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*squeals over Yujin* I honestly think Yujin is way more clued in than he acts, because his whole focus is keeping his incredibly idealistic friend /out/ of capital politics. He steers Jingrui away from Getting Involved at every turn, distracts Jingrui when he’s getting serious. Speaking of lessons learned by watching what happened to Prince Qi and the way Yujin’s dad withdraws.
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Who could have guessed that executing the son who was straightforward and relied on honesty and family loyalty to protect him might possibly suggest to the other sons that honesty isn't the best policy and family ties aren't valuable?
I really agree about Yujin! He's made a great career out of being The Unserious One, but nobody could be that unserious without working at it. As it were. :D It seems significant that he hangs out with Prince Ji, who has survived by dint of the same "refuge in frivolity" approach.
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Nobody in the Xiao family reaches a ripe old age without becoming a mastermind. Xuan and Ji just took opposite routes: "I'm the acknowledged champion schemer" versus "I'm so good at it, nobody even knows I'm scheming." :D (Quick, where's that XKCD comic about viral marketing? That's totally Prince Ji.)
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Also yay, Yujin! I didn't appreciate him enough at the beginning, but he's really good for Jingrui.
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And of course, Fei Liu is the perfect person to investigate whether the bodies are where you think they are; nobody's ever going to think to ask him, and he probably wouldn't answer anyway! Mei Changsu can't be seen visiting strange abandoned houses, but Fei Liu won't be seen; and on the odd chance that he is noticed, Mei Changsu has already previously established (specifically with Yujin and Jingrui, in fact) that he lets his bodyguard 'go play' in the city on his own.
Yujin is adorable and I love him. He and Qing are the Wild Flailing And Crazed Grimaces Reaction Club and they do such a good job at it. :D
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I got a bit swept away with enthusiasm when I first started rewatching (I basically finished the entire show and restarted it almost at once!) so I didn't think to start posting about individual episodes till the 7th. :D
I'll definitely check out your 1-6 rewatch posts!