Round 1: Ming Lan v. House of Gu

Spoilers Ahead

*The Morning After*

1)GTY essentially tells the servants to ignore the rules (she must greet the in laws) because Mi'er was up late last night and this morning (presumably rolling around with him). Unfortunately, her older servants manage to get in and dress her up. The couple is affectionate like any newly wed, and she must go wage her first battle with the Gu clan

2)Although her husband insists they paid respects already hence she shouldn't go, she argues otherwise: if she doesn't answer the summons then she appears unfilial towards her new elders, it reflects poorly on the Sheng family, and he appears like a rogue and unfilial to outsiders. He makes it clear he doesn't clear, so Ming Lan instead shifts gears and explains it is common practice the in laws to rile up a new bride. So GTY tells her what she should expect:a) His stepmother will NOT be the first to speak (fourth or fifth house will)b)Fourth Auntie enjoys bullying the weak and cowering before the strong and is short tempered-his stepmother will cue her to attackc)Expect the Gu family to never take responsibility and frame othersd)He does promise they will move out soon

3)As expected, everything happened the way he told her. Though this is a wedding breakfast, the goal is to throw a woman onto Ming Lan (the day after she is married! it's incredibly rude!) who is threatening suicide--her her name is HongXiao and she claims that when GTY was younger, he kept her as a concubine of sorts. Further, Lady Qin (Evil MIL) says she freed her and gave her money to marry someone but she simply refuses (big eye roll). Ming Lan plays the stupid card and insists she cannot accept her without her husband's permission (though not actually true, she can hide behind timidness as a new wife entering a new role). Ming Lan comes out with a big card: she will kneel for a day. This way, the elders are the ones who look like they are bullying her (Ming Lan also reasons that they are going to keep attacking her no matter what so she should just 'fall off the horse' instead of waiting to be knocked off)(she also correctly surmises that since Lady Qin desires to appear kind, she must be anxious and trying to figure out how to stop her from kneeling)

4)Fifth aunt is aware of how manipulative Lady Qin is and tries to explain it 4th Aunt but the latter seems confused, suggesting she isn't the brightest.

5)Lady Qin goes to 'resuce' Ming Lan from kneeling and respects the boundary that she is drawing (for now). Ming Lan continues to bow her head and suggests she should apologize but Lady Qin brushes it off. Afterwards, Ming Lan returns to GTY and vents her anger. Ming Lan compares Lady Qin to Concubine Lin. Lin she thought was fierce, but Lady Qin is evil and on a whole other level in her eyes. They then discuss how the inner court is like fighting wars, and he again tells her he will always have her back.

6)GTY explains that the emperor wants him to ease the transition from old to new hence he is staying here for a bit. Ming Lan mentions hat she finds Hongxiao pitiful and learns that this is also a framing incident and it was a cousin who forced them self upon her. Framed, he let her into his room because he had no choice. She then tells him that he can have a concubine as long as she is nice and they can live in harmony, which clearly makes him angry, but he lets it go (perhaps thinking I will be patient and she will fall in love). Then he takes her out to see the sights....

7)Lady Qin, spends the evening discussing the days events with her personal maid. We learn that fourth auntie (the loud one) now feels like she was used to do the dirty work of Madame Qin. Fifth auntie seemed to say nothing, which angers her because they acknowledge that the fifth aunt is clever and watches the fire burn from the side. Madame Qin calls her a 'white wolf' and angrily states that anyone who framed GTY will have to side with her because he won't forgive them.

8)Basically the next day GTY announces he is moving next door, to his own manor, because the emperor gave him a house. The family insists it would be unfilial but he critizies the elders for bullying his wife and making her kneel not even 3 days after the wedding (shocking the men present). Lady Qin blames it on Hongxiao, the uncles then blame it all on GTY. Who then pushes it back on them for lying, and so Lady Qin intercedes as the 'savior' and says just let him go.....

9)The Hongxiao issue resolved: Mi'er will find a family for her. Then they ask; how did we get on her anyways? GTY loudly (almost stupidly) asks: yeah who brought her up (LOL). GTY also is now using public opinion and gossip to help put a little fear in his enemies....(I love watching them trade words its like watching arrows going back and forth).

10)The Marquis (elder brother) reflects on how the aunts and Lady qin will try to torment them, and he explains that GTY will be the new Marquis--his wife basically says she loves him even without his title and money please don't die--she is being sincere these two really love one another--but it is now becoming evident that the elder brother's long time struggle isn't just his personal issues with GTY (relating to the death of his mother) but extends to the entire clan

11)GTY shows Ming Lan their giant new home (it puts her childhood home to shame in terms of size, although we really don't see as much of it film wise) and he explains he needed a place worthy of her (aww) and she explains she doesn't know if she can manage it but he explains if you don't want to do it let others just be my wife (LOL) and she then counters that this basically isn't fair because it will make him look bad and again he tells her who cares

12)The episode ends with her returning o visit her grandmother

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