From violence to poetry through romance : the characters development. + All the episodes.

 TaliaToo:

I find it interesting that the Emperor did not mind GreenTeaPrince going home to get his position as Heir. They had played GO so many times, he figured he could trust the guy. In my story, that was why he awarded Mei Lin to him--he liked the guy and wanted to set a tone for peace and he figured JingHe would be rid of an assassin and could still marry stupid Luo Mei. LMAO. Regarding the latter, he thought wrong. LMAO some more.

That makes sense. But it also shows, what an idiot the Emperor was. He trusted someone who he knew was manipulating him at a very young age. He might have thought he was an inside man he could rely on later to ensure peace between the states.  This was a huge mistake.

 TaliaToo:

I also forgot to remark about this part in my "rewrite." To me, this was an important point where Mei Lin was smart enough to PUSH Jing He's buttons to get her to stay at his side (in my darker version, not this version). Maybe I'll borrow your words here and insert it there, hahaha.

 I add 2 sentences to show the attraction and exhilaration during that push : 

Mei Lin exhales as Prince Jing is pushing her against the wall. Her head gets messed up. Prince Jing is strongly restraining her, why does it feel like a caress ?
He abruptly says : « So you want to work with him?
Let me remind you, since you left the imperial prison. whether dead or alive, you are mine. Relying on others will only hasten your death. The more you depend on them, the quick you’ll die.»

 TaliaToo:

Well, he probably didn't like the Old Xiyan King who started the first war. 

BTW, I used your note about the pressing her against the wall and added a short confrontation in the revision of Eps 5-10. Thank you. Your recollection is better than mine! And adding that small touch set up the XiyanGreenTea's obsession.

Thank you for letting me know.  You are  welcome.

I am sure the old Emperor did not like the King of Xiyan. We saw how obtus he was. He was hardly bearable.

 TaliaToo:

#clapping hands!

Thank you #blushing. ^_^

 unbeliebubble:

But "Her days are yours but her nights are mine" This one totally put me K.O !!!  hehehe

LOL, thanks. And now, I have reason to allow the Umbrella Dance scene in. It was just weird before, although fun. Now, I can write in the REASONING for it. The moment where Jing He was talking to his sidekick about acting romantic makes sense here. Jing He would say something like, "Cooperation works both ways, I guess."

WORKING ON IT! Will post this later...during work break. Sigh. Reality calls.

Episode 7 - Death of the Master of Shadow Works .

Prince Jing has to protect Mei Lin.
He already thwarted attendant Shang’s plot aiming to assassinate her. When he cornered the two servants and the maids, in the Empress De Jia’s embroidered screen room.
In fact, the Crown Prince intended to frame Mei Lin for damaging the revered screen. Which would have led her to death penalty.
He was able to save her, but he had to slice the screen. That would make it believable. Good thing was : Mei Lin was kept in house arrest in the Court of State Ceremonial. That way she would be guarded by the Imperial guards. Those guards remain loyal to Imperial Father. Eastern palace's master would not have acces.
As expected Prince Yin Que rushed in the room and offered to take full responsibility for the incident.
However, repairing is just an excuse. Mei Lin doesn’t need to concern herself with it. She should stay there peacefully and if needed he will come to take her away.
Now that Mei Lin is safe, he can focus on retrieving the whereabouts of War Minister Zhang Yin.
Suddenly, Qin Yan arrives and gives him the whistle he entrusted to Mei Lin. Mei Lin summoned him.


Prince Jing arrives and asks : « What is it ? »
Mei Lin replies : « The Empress De Jia must have had a reason for embroidering this screen.  »
Prince Jing is pissed : « I told you before. Mind your own business. » He starts leaving when Mei Lin forcefully grabs his arm.
She mysteriously utters : « There’s an hidden pattern on the screen. »
Prince Jing is shocked and looks at her intensly.
She continues : « There is an invisible thread woven into the design. If you don’t look closely, you won’t notice it. The hidden thread leads to a secret pattern. The arrangement is very neat, almost like a riddle. »
Prince Jing gently touches the screen. He recognises the Weibei army flag semaphore and starts to sadly decypher :
«  My son, Jing He is good by nature, He could  have never been the butcher of the city. But the rumour mill is churning. I made this embroidery to calm the people’s anger, hope for a chance at survival for my boy. Jing He, My only wish is for you to live on, to never loose hope. One  day the clouds will part and the truth will be revealed. Thought we are separated by life and death, may you be safe when my soul at peace.   »
Prince Jing almost cries and clenches the screen.

Mei Lin comforts him : « So Her Majesty made this screen to plead for your life.  »

At this point, Prince Jing feels guilty for all the resentment he arbored toward his Imperial Mother. He knows he was wrong. And feels compelled to beg for her forgiveness but how ? She passed away.

Unexpectedly, Mei Lin reassures him. He can use this embroidery as a bridge to speak to his mother, like she uses her hairpin to keep her parents by her side. That way her parents will always protect her from death.  She shall never fear death.

As Mei Lin leaves him, he starts to make peace with his mother.
Prince Jing remembers that he came there a few days ago. He was dressed as his vindictive alter-ego : the Master of Shadow Works. Full of grievances he approached the lantern to the embroidered screen. And there, in the dead of the night, among the shadows, he started whispering :

« Imperial Mother, why didn’t you believe me?  »  

Today, at the same exact place, the vindictive Master of Shadow Works is dead.
Only remains the repented and crying Prince Murong Jing He, who difficultly utters :

  « Imperial Mother, I have returned. I am doing well.  »

 sansoleil83:

A bit late in the conversation. They could've inserted another one or two of these more sexually charged/manipulative scenes in these early episodes before MJH and Mei Lin have to full on work together in the later episodes when they capture Zhang Yin. We are reminded that MJH sees her as a pawn at his disposal, so maybe just a bit more "push" from Mei Lin like in this scene to show she can also play in this game. This seems to be one of the complaints from viewers, not seeing enough of Mei Lin in this kind of mode. After all the sexual attraction is pretty much working both ways at this point.

Indeed, the chemistry would have been improved if the crew had introduced more flirtatious interactions between the two characters. Here, despite being very shy and subdued to her mother's will, Mei Lin find the courage to speak her mind and "force herself" onto Prince Jing.  

There is a lot of moments they could have spiced up a little with her longing for him : 

- In the wash house when she tries to remember the Wuhan Pavilion arson as he gives her his wrist to bite.

- During the cutted embroidered screen incident, when she was about to stab him with the hair pin. 

- Even before the prison cell  scene, where she agreed to give him the token. And before the banquet killing attempt, when she caught his attention. Mei Lin could have made a move at the archery game, when Prince Jing killed the assassin, without anyone knowing it, but Mei Lin. There, she already doubted he was the culprit. The two speaking  in secrecy or code. Mei Lin could have thrown Prince Jing off his game. That would have added to the push and pull. The token was just the confirmation. She was just too reserved. *sigh*