EPISODE 11

I missed the 1st 15 min of today's episode but from what I could gather, indeed Yu Fei had bethroed Onn Sin to Ngok Lo Lei, that old ugly corrupted eunuch unless Onn Sin tells Yu Fei what she wanted to hear. All Onn Sin could do was to accept and wait for her fate. She still refused to sell her soul.

Next when I started watching it was Fook Nga playing kite with Yee Sun. I was told that Fook Nga was playing kite alone when the kite snapped and flew straight at Yee Sun who then joined in the fun. They seemed to click on first meeting and when Fook Nga realised Yee Soon had asthma, she was even more attentive that when Bak Yeung passed by she insisted Bak Yeung look at Yee Soon first. But Bak Yeung was more concerned about Fook Nga. When Fook Nga returned to her room, she told Bak Yeung her sad history, that she once had a younger sister (by 5 years) and around 10 years ago or so she lost her sister on the street when travelling to Beijing and was fortunate enough to have met Eunuch Tsui who gave her shelter and even took her into the palace and made her a concubine. However she sadly said she knew she had failed her godfather as she herself was inflicted with an illness I have yet to know of and so could not carry out eunuch Tsui's ambition. Bak Yeung understood her predicament and was having some thoughts when Fook Nga said looking at Yee Soon was like looking at her own long lost sister but she dismissed Yee Soon as her sister as she said "My sister was a Han descendant and Yee Soon is of Manchurian blood". Of course she didn't know they both share the same godfather. Fook Nga also asked Bak Yeung to give Yee Soon a specially made silk pouch containing some herbs to sooth Yee Soon's asthma condition, something Fook Nga did for her sister many years before.

When Bak Yeung saw Yee Soon and said Yee Soon was alright, Yee Soon couldn't believe it as another doctor said she wasn't well. Bak Yeung was offended and said "to me every patient of mine of whatever the circumstances I shall treat with utmost care. You may think I helped you because of Eunuch Tsui but whether you believe it or not, I am your doctor and you're my patient and that is why I am treating you with care". Before leaving he gave her the pouch but on Fook Nga's instruction he did not tell her it was from Fook Nga. Yee Soon smiled to herself. I guess she was falling for her and that little argument was to get his attention.

Back track a bit, why Fook Nga didn't want Yee Soon to know that pouch was from her because she didn't want Yu Fei to think Yee Soon was gang up with her and thus may cause Yee Soon major problems. At this point I am wondering is Bak Yeung in love with Fook Nga? Could Yee Soon sense that was her sister? How come Bak Yeung who saw Yee Soon so many times could ultimately fall for that evil vixen, Yuk Ying but not Yee Soon? I am sure answers will come soon in later episodes.

Anyway out of curiosity, Bak Yeung went to see Mrs Tsui who was praying for Sook Ling's soul. He bluntly asked was Fook Nga Yee Soon's sister? But Mrs Tsui did not give a straight answer as Fook Nga was sent into the palace even before eunuch Tsui married her, but from what she said and the way she said it, like asking Bak Yeung to mind his own business is in a way saying yeah, she's the sister. Wonder what Bak Yeung will do? He is getting very involved in Yee Soon and Fook Nga's matters. More because of Fook Nga I guess.

Next the entire story is about Onn Sin, poor poor Onn Sin.

Ngok Lo Lei was jealous Onn Sin was on very good terms with Siu Luk Tzi and so beaten up Siu Luk Tzi. Onn Sin in an attempt to sooth Ngok Lo Lei's anger was made to wash his dirty smelly feet whilst he basically tell her what she would expect for the rest of her life; "You will from now own wash this feet of mine. This feet of mine has been standing and walking and squatting for so long, it has become smelly and diseased but you will wash them. As a servant I could only squat next to the master's bed. From now on you will serve me. You will be my wife and I will not allow anyone to touch you and you will not be allowed to speak to the other men and eunuchs. Do you understand me?" and poor Onn Sin could only mutter a yes whilst tears was welling in her eyes. She didn't want to bring Siu Luk Tzi any more problems.

Whilst Hung Mo and Chan Song were busy feeding the crows, Onn Sin passed by but was reluctant to look at Hung Mo. Chan Song quickly ran after Onn Sin and told her Hung Mo got a letter from her grandma for her. Hung Mo gave her the letter and Onn Sin was very grateful for Hung Mo's help when Ngok Lo Lei and that Yu Fei's busybody eunuch passed by and Ngok accused Onn Sin of being a tramp and for speaking to the guards which was forbidden as she was a female and they were male. Chan Song rose up to the occassion and tried to defend Onn Sin who also tried to explain the letter she was holding was from her grandma and not a love letter but Ngok simply slapped her hard on the face and she fell into the arms of Hung Mo from the impact. Hung Mo was very angry and even Chan Song reminded Ngok that "We are not allowed to slap the palace maids in the face and you've just committed an offence!". Onn Sin tried to diffuse the situation, Ngok huffed and puffed away from the scene and Onn Sin quietly left, with Hung Mo wondering what he could have done.

At night when Hung Mo and Chan Song were on duty to check the goods in and out of the palace and they allowed a cart to leave, Ngok came with his fellow eunuchs and conducted his own search claiming Hung Mo was conspiring with others to steal palace goods and selling them outside. They could find nothing and Hung Mo said since he couldn't find anything how was the eunuch going to explain the stepping into the duties of the guards when the pink handkercief (the one with words) fell onto the floor and Ngok said it was a palace handkerchief and Hung Mo had stolen the said thing. Chan Song said that handkerchief was not meant to be sold and so could not be said to be stolen or anything but Ngok took advantage and had them arrested. Then came the palace guards' chief (the one who was conspiring with Hung Mo and gang to sell stuff outside of palace) came and confronted the Eunuch. Ngok explained why they were arrested and Chan Song said "That handkerchief was a gift by Onn Sin!" although Hung Mo was reluctant to say anything more and the chief taunted the eunuch by saying "Wahhh! You can't even control your own wife and you can even satisfty her. What kind of man are you?!" and the eunuch angrily stalked away. Well problems solved for Hung Mo but poor Onn Sin.

Onn Sin was walking back during the night when she felt she was being followed. She stumbled into Ngok who asked I think his nephew or some relative (not an eunuch) to come out and he angrily accused Onn Sin of being a vamp and a lusty unfaithful wife. He said since she wanted a man, and he can't satisfy her, he will have his relative to satisfy her needs. Onn Sin was shocked but Ngok was far stronger and held a knife against her throat and pushed her onto the table and demanded I think his nephew to rape Onn Sin but the nephew was very scared and said "But molesting palace maids is a big offence! I don't dare to to that!" but the uncle said "Do IT!!" and he dropped his pants and moving towards Onn Sin in a timid way and the Onn Sin's terrified eyes got bigger and then...

tomorrow we shall know. I think she must have killed the eunuch. He deserved it! What a horrible man.

Preview of tomorrow's episode made me wanna strangle Yuk Ying who was poking fire in front of Yu Fei about Onn Sin. Did she really have to do that?

Tonight's episode is great. For one we know more of Fook Nga and Yee Soon, we see the gentler helpful side of Bak Yeung and more on the predicament of Onn Sin. No Yuk Ying which is great news for me. For me Onn Sin is still the best character pushed into the worst circumstances. Really pity her. No sign of Yu Fei tonight unless she was on the 1st 15 min.

Performance wise, I was very pleasantly surprised with Jade Leung's very gentle and elegant performance of a very gentle and kind hearted Fook Nga. She looked very pretty. Although her pronunciation is still not very clear, but at least she really looks like someone gentle and caring. I love her scenes with Bak Yeung, hoping Bak Yeung maybe loved her a little. I still don't know if he felt pity for her or loved her a little.

Charmaine Sheh was inadequate, especially during the scenes where she was flying kite with Jade Leung, it was all like timed performance. Nothing natural. Her better scene was her conversation with Bowie's Bak Yeung and still she wasn't consistent. Was she questioning him? Was she teasing him? Was she offended? Or was she in love with him that she wanted to get his attention? I can't see her intention clearly although looking at the scenario, it was more like teasing him to get his attention but of course he didn't realise that yet.

Maggie Cheung was wonderful as Onn Sin. The reluctance in her eyes, the terror, the fear, the heart break, I think she has improved so much from the last time I saw her which I think was KOYAT (and her head moved a lot in there) that I was very impressed with her very controlled and natural performance. Onn Sin is still my most favourite character and the one I pitied the most.

As of now I feel very little for Yu Fei actually.

As for Moses, he was ok. Nothing much. The actor who played Ngok Lo Lei really portrayed the ugliness of Ngok very well. But unfortunately the scene with him and Onn Sin washing his feet was far too long and never ending. Much of the dialogue's impact was already delivered when she had to wash his feet so for him to go on and on and on was really quite tiresome.

The best scene for me tonight is Fook Nga's conversation with Bak Yeung, very heartfelt, very sad.

I wonder though, how old is Yee Soon? Assuming she may be 17 (since she is supposed to be younger than 18 year old Sook Ling) or maybe 18. Sister entered palace about 10 years ago so she must have been 8 or 7. Sister is 5 years older so the sister should be presently 23 (Jade Leung is still too old for that role) and she must have entered the palace when she was 18 also.

By the way Han girls are not allowed to be concubines. Both Yee Soon and Fook Nga are Hans smuggled into the palace. But I remember Sehseh saying certain Hans was accepted into the Manchurian community and given Manchurian names. So can these Hans descendants who adopted the Manchurian name be allowed to become a concubine?

Sehseh?

- For screencaps of this episode do check out Sehseh's WAB page -