War And Beauty [TVB][Episodic Thoughts]

Welcome

2009-12-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

This is the COMPLETED Episodic Thoughts for the series War And Beauty produced by TVB. For more info, do read the right panel top most column. For the episodes, check out the right panel under Episodes. Comments are still open so feel free to post your comments. Thank you.

EPISODE 30 [LAST EPISODE]

2005-11-30T20:53:00.000-08:00

It's so hard to believe, it's the end. It's really the end and what an ending it was. An ending to fit all endings. Fans may not like it but I thought for once TVB got it right and even managed to make it look so beautiful cinematography wise. I wanted to write this as soon as I finished the last episode but I was so emotional I kinda let myself rest for a while. This episode certainly reached the pinnacle of all pinnacles of all emotions, and funnily enough the pinnacle came from nowhere. For me this is one episode you can watch by itself and forget the previous few episodes.

But before I begin I must thank my friend Wyone. You see I was really late after some heavy duty shopping so I dropped by her place as she got ASTRO. But alas, 10 minutes into this episode, her ASTRO got some problem like every 10 words uttered, 2 impotant words were muted. So I was like OKOK I can watch the repeat. My friend cooly walked to the TV, took out a golden looking disc, put it into the VCD player and I was like "Hey! I'm watching" and she was like "Yeah lor, for you to watch" and guess what? She had the final episode's VCD! All that drama and aiyah...anyway thanks to her I got to watch an uninterrupted version.

So let's begin the final episode and my final episodic thoughts.

Chan Song was in the palace and he looked furious. Yu Fei was advised to leave for the empress' place since it would be heavily guarded but Yu Fei refused as she rightly deduced, the empress had her own plans in destroying Yu Fei using the rebels. So everyone was panicking and since palace is very big, it took the rebels some time to reach them. Yu Fei asked her servant to find Hung Mo fast.

Pause here. You may wonder how the rebels can enter the palace so easily. I have 2 explanation. One is this is War & Beauty and not on the rebels so really it doesn't matter. Second is a more valid one. The emperor left for official business and I am sure with him most of the guards followed him. So security was low in the palace which explained why they can get in so easily.

Meanwhile Bak Yeung was escorting the coffin of Fook Nga out of the palace with this huge entourage. What a scene! They were all in white, with the white snow...very gloomy looking. But Yee Soon was hiding inside the coffin. Ermm no sign of Fook Nga's body. I wonder what happened to her body? Anyway half way through Yuk Ying appeared looking ghostly white and she ordered everyone a few steps back and in her loudest ever voice asked Bak Yeung why he was leaving. I mean what a horribly bad performance. As if now no one will know there's something going on between the two. Anyway Bak Yeung advised her to go back to her room as "I am awakened now. I realised now and I intend to leave" and Yuk Ying was like "How can you leave me? How can you leave our baby?" and Bak Yeung was like "I have done all I could for you and I have done everything I shouldn't for you. There is nothing more for me to do for you. My heart is dead. For me this is the end of my journey. I am leaving" and Yuk Ying was like in tears but I guess more like thinking she was gonna lose her ally. Anyway selfish Yuk Ying, never knew at that point was she asking hik to stay because of love or selfish needs. Anyway Bak Yeung continued his journey leaving Yuk Ying crying in frustration.

And he continued on and again he was stopped. Longest funeral march ever. It was Hung Mo with his sword. Bak Yeung was saying "Lord Hung, why are you at the funeral with a sword?" and Hung Mo said "I am here to kill someone" and Bak Yeung was like "Who?" and Hung Mo was like swinging the sword at Bak Yeung and said "Suen Bak Yeung, you have been charged and found guilty of treason. By the orders of his majesty, I am here to execute you" and Bak Yeung was like knew it was because of Yuk Ying's matter and before either of them could say anything the snow was wet and slippery and the coffin slid down the long stairs and Bak Yeung panicked as Yee Soon was in there and indeed once it reached the bottom of the stair, the coffin broke into several pieces and in it an injured and depressed looking Yee Soon. Hung Mo was surprised but cooled down and Bak Yeung was reaching for Yee Soon when the rebels appeared in hundreds. Hung Mo immediately went in aid of Bak Yeung who was carrying Yee Soon as they were running away and they went hiding near the rocks as the rebels searched for them. Hung Mo told Bak Yeung "You leave now, let me handle here" but Bak Yeung was like "I can't. Promise me you will escort Yee Soon out of this palace" but Yee Soon was teeling Bak Yeung not to go since she knew he would look for Yuk Ying risking his own life but Bak Yeung said he had to go, and so he left. Hung Mo meanwhile had to go back to Onn Sin you see so quite funny as one by one left Yee Soon. He told Yee Soon to leave the palace through some door and Yee Soon who was very distressed agree. Hung Mo walked out of the rocks when someone called out his name as an arrow flew by him. Yee Soon was scared and she was hiding. Hung Mo turned and it was Chan Song with an arrow pointing at Hung Mo. "Well we meet again Hung Mo. So how does it feel like to be accepted into the manchu clan and become the manchu dog?" said Chan Song but Hung Mo now very angry since he really had no time for all this bravely said "Song, if you want to kill me, you kill me now" but Chan Song said "Oh no, I don't intend to kill you so soon. I want you to know all the wrongs you have done to me and I intend to avenge for Po Shim's death" but Hung Mo said "For all the wrongs I have done to you, I have nothing more to say and for all the wrongs you have done to me, I do not wish to explain. Song, don't do this, don't work for the rebel, turn bakc before it's too late" but Chan Song said "You take me to that bitch Yu Fei now! NOW! or I'll kill you!" and Hung Mo thought since he must get to them he lead the way. Yee Soon was now worried about Bak Yeung and so she rushed to find Yuk Ying.

Yuk Ying was in I think Fook Nga's room saying her final goodbyes to Fook Nga whom she felt helped her for reuniting her with Bak Yeung. She was dressed in the same dress the night she slept with Bak Yeung and she sadly reminisced about that night and thinking about Bak Yeung. Then Yee Soon appeared and said "Where is Bak Yeung?" and Yuk Ying was like "What are YOU doing here?" and Yee Soon said "We have no time. We must leave. The rebels are in the palace!" and Yuk Ying was "Oh please, don't lie to me with that stupid excuse. Rebels in the palace..." but Yee Soon was panicking and said "If it is not for Dr Suen I wouldn't have come back for you! We must go now!" but Yuk Ying refused to move. Bak Yeung then reached them and Bak Yeung said the same thing but Yuk Ying refused and Bak Yeung said "You must leave. The emperor knows the baby is not his" and Yuk Ying was shocked and she had no choice but followed them. Half way through Yee Soon couldn't breath and Bak Yeung said "We can rest for awhile" but Yee Soon urged Bak Yeung to leave and said "No no you go, leave me here, don't let me slow you down" but Bak Yeung said "The rebels will take some time to reach here, you rest first" but Yee Soon was in tears as she frantically told Bak Yeung "No! No! You leave, you leave now! Listen to me, don't do this for me or for Yuk Ying or for anyone else. Do it for yourself! Leave for yourself! Leave!" but Bak Yeung refused and said "I promised Fook Kwai Yan I'll escort you out. I must leave with you! Don't give up now! Your sister may be out there somewhere waiting for you! You still have to find her! It may be important for you to do everything for your parents but you're now a parent yourself, you must think about your baby. We will leave together!" and Yee Soon agreed. But Yuk Ying having heard the word mother suddenly stiffened and turned back to her room. Yee Soon and Bak Yeung asked where she was going and she said "I am going back to my room". Bak Yeung was very angry and shouted "Why? Why even now you can't leave all this behind?! Why even now you have to hold on to the power, to your materialistic needs?!" and Yuk Ying was screaming "Yes, I am materialistic, selfish Yuk Ying. I will not leave. I will never lose. I cannot lose! Never!" and Bak Yeung slapped her but she recomposed herself and walked back. Bak Yeung let her go and went back to Yee Soon and told Yee Soon "Even now she has to be so stubborn. Why should I still care for someone who doesn't wish for me to care for her?" and Yee Soon said "I understand your feelings, because we are the same. I care for someone who doesn't wish for me to care for him" and Bak Yeung looked guilty and said "I understand your feelings towards me and I appreciate it" and after a moments thought, Yee Soon knew he can never leave Yuk Ying alone. So Bak Yeung bid his good byes to Yee Soon who could not understand why Bak Yeung can't leave that woman and he ran back whilst Yee Soon now too sad to do anything else.

Back with Yuk Ying, Bak Yeung reached her and Yuk Ying angrily said "Why everytime I Push you away you keep coming back? Go away!" and he tried to drag her with him but Yuk Ying refused and Bak Yeung said "The emperor knows! Do you think he will let you live? Do you think you can lie through your teeth again?" and Yuk Ying said "I don't intend to lie anymore. I know I won't live" and Bak Yeung said "Why then are you staying?" and Yuk Ying tearfully screamed "Do you think if I leave with you the emperor will let my family go? My family will be punished and my mother will bear the blame of having a slut of a daughter who ran away and my mother's position in my family will further worsened. No one will respect her anymore. I can't let that happen. But if I were to stay here, and kill myself, with the rebels in here, the emperor may find it in his heart not to expose my deception. After all he asked for you to be secretly executed, so I guess he may want to save face. He may even give me a grand funeral befitting of my status, then my death will worth something". Bak Yeung was shocked but he refused to let her stay and dragged her along as Yuk Ying kept saying no no when suddenly outside a bunch of eunuchs locked her door. It was the empress' eunuchs who were ordered to get rid of competition taking advantage of the rebel situation so the empress can then blame it on the rebels. The eunuch said "Courtesy of the empress herself my lady" and they set fire to her room. Bak Yeung and Yuk Ying knew they had nowhere to run, and so they sat down by the bed waiting to die. As they were coughing from the smoke, Bak Yeung looked tearfully at Yuk Ying and Yuk Ying tearfully said "I know you have always wondered if what happened that night was because I loved you or because I wanted to use you...I want you to know.." and she tearfully and lovingly kissed Bak Yeung on the lips and as they kissed the fire raged on and black out. I can say probably they choked to death and then burnt. It was quite sad.

Meanwhile back to Yu Fei. Hung Mo reached them with Chan Song behind him and Chan Song said "Finally you bitch Yu Fei! You killed Po Shim!" but Hung Mo screamed "Song! Wake up! It wasn't Yu Fei!" and even Onn Sin said "Chan Song, how can you do this to Hung Mo? He is your brother! Yu Fei did not kill Po Shim!" but Yu Fei angrily walked in front and said "I have hurt may people, I have ordered many killed, so one extra blame is not difficult for me to bear. But I never killed Po Shim!" and Chan Song looked confused but he refused to believe and he aimed for Yu Fei when Hung Mo ran in front of Yu Fei and blocked the attack and Yu Fei surprised said "Lord Hung, what are you doing? Don't do this" and Chan Song angrily said "Even now you have to be a manchu dog faithfully serving your servant! Do you think you can protect her forever?" and Hung Mo angrily said "I am trying to protect you! If you kill her, you will never live! Leave the rebels, don't be foolish anymore! Song, I will never harm you! Look! Look!" and Chan Song thought for the longest of time and then he lowered his sword and then rebels rushed in and everybody was fighting but Chan Song suddenly returned to Hung Mo's side and decided to help Hung Mo. As they rushed out and killed the rebels, another set of rebel looking people rushed in but these new rebels killed the old rebels and was aiming for Yu Fei. Chan Song fought along but he got hurt and fell to the ground and Hung Mo killed the rest. After that he held Chan Song in his arms and said "Song, Song.." and Chan Song as he breath his last breath whispered "I believe you my brother" and he died. Hung Mo sobbed holding Chan Song and Yu Fei and Onn Sin looked sad. Yu Fei then asked her eunuch to pull the trousers of the rebel down and check and indeed "My lady! They're eunuchs!" and Yu Fei knew the empress had wanted to take advantage of the situation and kill her off. Anyway Yu Fei, Onn Sin, eunuch and Hung Mo ran out into the open but the rebels were closing in. Hung Mo was holding the hands of Onn Sin on his left and Yu Fei on his right as they ran along but Yu Fei knew the rebels will kill them if the empress' assassins did not get to them first. Yu Fei said "Hung Mo, you take Onn Sin and leave now! I''ll divert the attention of the empress' assassins, at last you two can escape!" but Hung Mo said "No! You'll leave with us!" and Onn Sin too said "Yes, you must leave with us Yu Fei! You can't stay here. You don't want to stay in this horrible dangerous place" but Yu Fei said "But I want to. What can I do if I leave here? I may have always wanted to go outside and see what's out there but to survive out there, I really am not that capable. I entered the palace since I was 16 and I have never known what it is like out there, I will never make it, I'll just be a burden to you" but Hung Mo said "NO! If I am to leave, I will leave with both of you, now!". Yu Fei looked at Hung Mo as he held both their hands and she said "Alright, alright, so if we leave, once out there Hung Mo, you have to choose either one of us! Who then?!" and Hung Mo thought for awhile and then he held their hands tighter. Yu Fei pushed Hung Mo's hands away and said "Go! GO! GO NOW! LEAVE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! JUST LEAVE!!!" but Hung Mo couldn't leave Yu Fei but Onn Sin said "Go brother Hung! We have to go now" and reluctantly Hung Mo took Onn Sin's hands and ran. Yu Fei looked at them sadly and she herself ran the opposite way.

Half way through running, Onn Sin saw a very confused looking Yee Soon who was walking slowly in the line of shotting arrows. Onn Sin rushed to her and an arrow struck Onn Sin but she had no time to bother with it and she said to Yee Soon "Yee Soon! Are you alright?" but Yee Soon looked too confused, too sad by the sudden departure of Bak Yeung who left her alone. Onn Sin took Yee Soon and ran with her and on the floor the camera zoom into a broken arrow laced with blood.

Meanwhile the empress was in her room looking anxious when her eunuch came back with good news. "My lady, the rebels have been defeated! It was 2nd Prince who subdued the rebels my lady!". Imagine that. Your own son just did a great dead killing the rebels and what do you say? "What about Yee Soon and Onn Sin? Where are they?! Find them!". I tell you the empress is going mental. And then Yu Fei strolled in and the Empress said "YOU! YOU!" and Yu Fei cooly said "Onn Kwai Yan and Soon Kwai Yan were both killed by the rebels and their bodies burnt" but the empress for the first time shouted "You dare to use the story I have concocted?! Why Yu Fei? Why do you have to be a pebble in my shoes? Why do you have to go against me in everything?!" and Yu Fei angrily said "It has always been us, this fight for power. It was between us, it is between us and believe me, in future, it will always be between us. I intend to fight you till the end of time, and you mark my words, I'll go against everything you do!" and Yu Fei walked out and the empress, having lost favour of the emperor and now unable to destroy her biggest rival felt both angry and frustrated as she reflected of her failures.

Yu Fei then went to Yuk Ying's room and knew it was burnt. She was told "There are two bodied in there my lady, a male and a female. The male did not have 3 fingers" and Yu Fei sadly reflected "I want to see them" but she was advised "My lady, their bodies are badly burnt. You will not wish to see them like this" and he gave to Yu Fei a broken I think jade ring. Yu Fei was about to take it when a crow swooped down and took the ring and flew away. The ring passed outside an open field and dropped the ring in front of Senior Suen who was waiting for Bak Yeung. Senior Suen knelt down and saw the charred jade ring and knew it was Bak Yeung's. He tearfully cried "I understand my son! I understand you do not wish to drag me into this! I understand my son!" and he sobbed emotionally into the ground thinking about Bak Yeung.

Pause here. This scene made my tear welled up. I mean Yuk Ying and Bak Yeung dying was kinda sad but it was Senior Suen's tears that got to me. Useless son.

Anyway more tears.

It was outside the palace and Yee Soon, Onn Sin were both in a horse driven cart and Hung Mo stopped for awhile to get them drinks. Onn Sin weakly told Yee Soon "You must live on, you have a baby to take care now. You have always been dictated what to do, first by Eunuch Tsui so you can now live freely. You must be cold now. You must dress well, take care of your baby" and Yee Soon was very frustrated and said "Why is it everybody tells me what to do..." and suddenly Onn Sin didn't look too good and Yee Soon panicked and held on to Onn Sin very worried and when Yee Soon touched Onn Sin's back, and she saw blood on her hands. Yee Soon was in tears now and said "Onn Sin, what's going on?" and Onn Sin weakly said "Don't worry. It is nothing" but Yee Soon said "I must get Hung Mo. He will find you a doctor!" but Onn Sin refused and said "No, don't tell him. Please don't" and Yee Soon said "You will die" and Onn Sin said "I know. But if Hung Mo knows, he will turn back, he will do everything he can to find me a doctor and this will delay our escape, your escape. I cannot afford that to happen" and Yee Soon tearfully said "Why even now you have to think of me? Why are you doing this for me?" and Onn Sin gently said "Yu Fei has asked me to live a life she could not live but now I am not able to do so. My hope now rest with you, you will live a life that I could not live, a life free from the ghostly dangerous sinful forbidden palace, a life of free will and a life where you can do all that you want to do" but Yee Soon tearfully said "I have no one. I have no family, I don't even know where my hometown is" and Onn Sin smilingly but weakly said "Well, go to my hometown. My hometown will be your hometown, the people I knew will be the people you know. My hometown is very beautiful, surrounded by rivers and mountains, you can go there" and Yee Soon gently nodded.

Next scene Yee Soon was sitting very quietly at the back with Hung Mo smiling and sitting at the front with Onn Sin's head on his shoulders, both smiling as Onn Sin held Hung Mo's arms. Hung Mo said "You look tired, why don't you close your eyes and rest for awhile. Once we reach our destination, I'll wake you up" and Onn Sin weakly smiled with her head on his shoulders and said "Alright but don't forget to wake me up" and Hung Mo promised he won't. Yee Soon saw Onn Sin's wound dripping with blood and she tearfully looked away as she knew Onn Sin was dying. Onn Sin then closed her eyes, holding onto Hung Mo as Hung Mo placed his own head on top of hers lovingly, and then they rode towards the sunset.

The sun was setting, casting a sad veil of darkness over the palace and Yu Fei was standing by the sunset on top of the building overlooking the forbidden palace. She remembered how she first met Hung Mo and she remembered the handkerchief with the poem and she recited the poem by heart. As she recited the poem, we see scenes of Yuk Ying and Bak Yeung and Onn Sin and Yee Soon and Hung Mo and Yu Fei ended the series by saying "If I leave the palace, I shall leave it happily, if I stay in the palace, it shall be with a heavy heart. Dear stranger, fated as it may be, if you found this handkerchief, I wish you well and I wish you shall live a life I wished I could have lived outside as you're living now. Live well..."

THE END

Ok, maybe the poem not in exact words but that's the meaning of it.

I tell you, when Onn Sin closed her eyes with Yee Soon looking so depressed, I was like trying very hard to hold back my tears. I wanted so much to cry at the injustice of it all! I mean at least ONE HAPPY PAIR won't kill you right TVB! RIGHT?! I really wanted Onn Sin and Hung Mo to have a happy end. I knew Onn Sin was going to die, but I didn't know it would be like this!

Sheren Teng once said her Yu Fei had the saddest end since she remained in the palace. Well she had a choice to leave and wisely the script did not write that she left and all because Yu Fei was right; she had lived in luxury all these years, she can't live an ordinary life out there however she wished she could. Onn Sin wasn't the saddest. Because she died in Hung Mo's arms. Yee Soon also not saddest as now she will have Onn Sin's memories as her own and she has her baby. By the way silly isn't it? Emperor's baby...Anyway it is an apt ending for Yee Soon who all her life lived on the instruction of others, now she like Onn Sin said must live a life on her ownb instruction so to speak. Yuk Ying for all her flaws until the end did everything for her mother. I think that is a virtue. Bak Yeung died simply because he couldn't escape in time.

For me the two saddest are ..

Senior Suen. No descendants, now alone. His daughter in law also, very sad.

And of course Hung Mo who didn't even know Onn Sin was dying. I was thinking she could tell him and he could find a doctor somewhere, surely Yu Fei will ensure the empress will not send anyone after them but then they wouldn't know whether Yu Fei survived or not. Hung Mo saddest because Chan Song died, and now the one woman he did everything for also died. If there is a sequel, I bet Hung Mo will spend the rest of his life taking care of Yee Soon and her child whilst he himself will remain unmarried and childless. I can't bear to think about that. It was just so sad.

My tears....no no no must not cry....

What's great about this ending is essentially the empress' end. I was thinking the emperor wil strip her off her power but surprise surprise she is still the empress! But great is in the end she didn't die, the emperor knowing what she did also won't strip her off her power because after all she is the empress and her 2nd son destroyed the rebels in the palace! I mean what a great ending man! So realistic! The emperor will continue to tolerate her but I doubt he will listen to her anymore and Yu Fei will pray she will die before the emperor because once he's dead, believe me her son will be emperor and she will torture Yu Fei to death.

You know what, Sheren Teng is right. If I think so far ahead in future, Yu Fei has the saddest end and will be doomed.

What an ending!

Performances wise, I must say Charmaine Sheh impressed me with her very melancholic depressed sad looking Yee Soon. I think she truly did well in the last 4 or 5 episodes and frankly I think she deserves a most improved artiste award. Very impressed. Her best scene was of course her short talk with Onn Sin on the horse cart. Very sad.

Maggie Cheung as usual turned in a stellar performance. Her Onn Sin even in the end died thinking about others. Such a kind hearted character and as I have said Onn Sin's doom is her kind heart and well this episode kinda proves it. Maggie Cheung deserves a best actress if there is one based solely on performance and not popularity. She was consistent even if her character was not. I mean the empress didn't die right? What a waste for Onn Sin's character to turn the way she did and then die the way she did but a good end. I mean I hate it but I will accept it.

Sheren Teng did well but frankly I didn't think she was all that great as everybody said she was. At times she was shaky. Anyway I decided that I don't hate her Yu Fei anymore, doesn't mean I like her very much at all. But I'll admit all she did in the end was for Hung Mo and love is so powerful. Very noble of her. What I like about the scripting of this character is she knew she did bad things before, she repented and she will admit if she did it.

Moses Chan really didn't act much but he was effective in scenes that requires him to be loving, forceful, angry, etc without changing his facial expressions much. Mr Botox minus the real Botox. But I like him in here and I thought he was ok.

Chan Hung Lit gave a stellar performance these 10 episodes or so and tonight he was so great. I cried as his Senior Suen cried for his son's death.

Rebecca Chan deserves an award that was given to Sheren Teng, as in the veteran award because her performance amongst all was the most consistent and the best. She looked so beautiful throughout but tonight she showed to us the paranoid side of the empress. Excellent performance.

Gigi Lai was ok. Inconsistent but short of being horrible. Still bad but I said OK because compared to her previous performances in previous episodes this is not the worst. I wonder thought why she won that award.

Bowie Lam unfortunately didn't do too well. A great actor but when his character is like down and out and emotionally spent, he didn't covey the emotions well. I find Bowie unable to portray well Bak Yeung who was emotionally vulnerable, something Charmaine Sheh did very well with her Yee Soon.

Wai Kah Hung was bad. Performance very stiff. And his Chan Song was like in fast forward mode, die so fast. I mean why bring back this character? Quite ridiculous how it was dealt with.

No Yu Yeung, thank god.

Funny stuff. Now the emperor will discover lacking in many concubines!!

Funny isn't it? After 30 episodes of fighting, in the end I realise all those fights of the concubines, at least in this series is not really about power but about personal feelings. Yee Soon fought Yuk Ying because of Bak Yeung, Yuk Ying fought everybody because of her mom in a way, Onn Sin against the empress because of her grandma, Yu Fei against empress because of hatred and empress against Yu Fei because of jealousy. In the end it's all personal.

Anyway a few questions you may wanna ask. The most important being, who made that handkerchief with poem which is so significant to this series? The writer may have forgotten to answer that but the hints are all there. Yu Fei could recite the poem even without really reading the handkerchief. I was and am still convinced it was Yu Fei who made it and I think Hung Mo knew when Yu Fei said something she quoted from the handkerchief where she said "If we are fated we shall meet again out there". Something like that. And nope, Yee Soon never knew Fook Nga was her real sister or that Eunuch Tsui had separated them.

Ahhhh so sadddddddd...Onn Sinnnnnn...WHYYYYYYY...

Anyway more in my review of this series which will be long.

Thank you very much for reading my thoughts night after night. I hope you had as much as fun as I had in sharing my thoughts with you but I must thank you for posting feedback and trivias as well. I learned a lot from your posts which were all informative.

Feel free to continue your feedback and again, thank you for reading.

Funn Lim, out.

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

EPISODE 29

2005-11-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

And the story is approaching the end, and by the way it is going, each episode at least one character will die. By the end of this series, half the character will die. Very speedy deaths.

Let's count heads;

- Siu Luk Tzi (yesterday)
- Fook Nga (today)
- probably 3 or 4 major characters (tomorrow)

Half the cast, gone.

Anyway continue on.

Yu Fei gave Onn Sin poison. Hung Mo was shocked and said "Do you think that would help Onn Sin by her poisoning the empress?" and Yu Fei said "Not poison the empress, but poison herself in front of the empress after eating her food, only then can I spread the rumours that the empress poisoned Onn Sin and will the emperor then take notice and take action as I am sure her eunuch will definitely reveal secrets because of his master's fall from power". Hung Mo, rightly so was disgusted and said "You're pushing Onn Sin to her death" and Yu Fei said "Well she is going to die anyway, why don't she die with a purpose and her death would mean something instead of now, meaningless?". Yu Fei of course didn't say it in such a heartless way, she actually said it with emotions, like really hard emotions. Hung Mo whispered "Her death would then benefit you isn't it? Is you desire to topple the empress so strong that you're willing to push Onn Sin to her death. I asked for your help not to push her to her death but to safeguard her safety. I have always thought of you as a good person, only today do I realise how ruthless and heartless you are in attaining your goal" and Yu Fei looked tearful as she said "there is nothing you can do for Onn Sin now" and Hung Mo said "I'll stop her is it is the last thing I'll do" and he left.

Pause here. First I do not thing Yu Fei deliberately pushed Onn Sin to her death nor did she intend to because she wanted Hung Mo for herself. Nor do I think she did this because she wanted to kill the empress. I think she offered this solution to Onn Sin as she sincerely thought this was the only way. I think she was misunderstood.

Hung Mo went to see Onn Sin but she refused to see him. He shouted at her door "Do you think it is worth it to sacrifice your life? Siu Luk Tzi's death would be meaningless. Onn Sin, please reconsider, please don't do this" but Onn Sin was confused as she wondered what she should do.

Next day Onn Sin I think was on her way to have kinda like lunch with the empress who has invited other concubines. Yu Fei was not going as she said "There is no point in going, moreover, it will be a day of tragedy to which I do not wish to be a witness". So poetic, I mean myself.

But Hung Mo stopped Onn Sin (looking rather orange) halfway and Onn Sin said "Please let me pass" but Hung Mo stood there like the man he was (oh yeah, very manly Hung Mo) and said "I'll not allow you to kill yourself" and Onn Sin said "That is the only way" and Hung Mo said "Don't you get it? Yu Fei is using you to achieve her revenge against the empress. Wake up, stop being used by her, this is not worth it!" and Onn Sin said "Is that what you think of Yu Fei? You have misunderstood her. Everything she has done, she has done it for you, to safeguard your interest, to ensure your safety. This way, only Yu Fei and I are involved, and you're not involved". Hung Mo was like DING as in suddenly woke up and realised Yu Fei was in love with him.

Pause here. What Onn Sin meant was Yu Fei and herself did not want to involve Hung Mo, so that Hung Mo won't do extreme stupid stuff which will get him killed. Lucky man, 2 women thinking about him first and foremost.

But Hung Mo said "No, I will not let you. If you go there now, I'll surrender myself to the palace guards and confess to the killings of the 2 eunuchs (remember this? Ah seem like so long ago)" and Onn Sin shocked said "Don't be foolish. You'll die!" and Hung Mo said "I'll not let you walk through this journey alone". So romantic! Onn Sin was having second thoughts but Onn Sin then said "Fine, do what you must. I'll still do what I must" and Hung Mo then walked away and Onn Sin quickly called him and said "Where are you going? Don't do it!" and Hung Mo said "No, I am going to see the emperor, I am going to tell him about the empress, I am sure he will be fair in all this and stop the empress!" and Onn Sin said "It won't help!" and Hung Mo said "I'll try" and he ran to the emperor.

The emperor was very busy thought because revolts by the peasant rebels were going on and he was busy, very busy so Hung Mo had to wait.

Meanwhile, Senior Suen approached the empress and informed her of Bak Yeung's action and his intention to retire and the empress was not happy but Senior Suen gave her Bak Yeung's 3 fingers and the empress said "Alright, you may retire if you wish" and senior Suen left but the empress in an evil look said "He knows too much". Which means she will kill him before letting him leave. Senior Suen then went home and told his daughter in law whom I discovered is not called Hau Shu but Hou Suet (how I can make such a mistake? I heard Hau Shu, I swear!) that he was sorry for putting her into such a difficult situation like running away but Hou Suet good naturedly said "It's ok father, at least now I can spend a bit more time with Bak Yeung". Bak Yeung came home and politely greeted Hou Suet who ran off to cook for him. What a wonderful wife and of all the wonderful women as you shall discover who were all in love with Bak Yeung, he had to pick the rotten one. No taste. Only Hung Mo got good taste. Emperor everybody also can. Anyway Senior Suen and Hou Suet will leave first, whilst Bak Yeung said he wanted to say his final goodbyes to Fook Nga at her funeral. But I think he will then smuggle Yee Soon out, something Senior Suen didn't know.

Somewhere along here the empress was investigating about Eunuch Tsui's involvement and the rumour that he had planted some girls in the palace. Since he was dead, she summoned Mrs Tsui. Mrs Tsui refused to let the empress see her face and when the empress saw her face, she recognised her as the maid of the kwai yan whom she disposed off years before (you know that 3rd skeleton in the well) and Mrs Tsui threatened the empress and said "If my lady insists, may I be allowed to repeat what happened years before?" and Mrs Tsui was slapped silly as the empress asked "Who did Eunuch Tsui plant into this palace? WHO?". Very cruel woman and suddenly Mrs Tsui dropped dead and confirmed that she bit her own tongue and committed suicide. The eunuch then said "Your majesty, I heard of rumours that Mrs Tsui used to visit Fook Kwai Yan, perhaps there is a connection" and the empress gave that evil look. As the body of Mrs Tsui was carried out Fook Kwai Yan saw the blood dripping. She didn't see the face of the body but I think she knew since she was rushing there, probably heard that Mrs Tsui was in the palace. She gloomily went back to the palace and met with Yee Soon and gave her some advice; "Yee Soon, be very wary of the empress. Remember that" and then she met with Bak Yeung and had a long chat with him where she said "Dr Suen, please promise me, if you have the opportunity, please take Yee Soon away from here. The Empress meant to harm her, I know because I saw Mrs Tsui dead and sooner or later they'll realise the connection between myself and Mrs Tsui and eventually myself and Yee Soon. Please help her" and Bak Yeung was saying "How can I? One can't simply leave the palace unless there is a death of a concubine" (I think her body must be escorted out of the palace for burial, how impersonal) and suddenly Fook Nga vomitted blood and as she laid dying in his arms and Bak Yeung asked why Fook Nga confessed "It's only poison. I have taken them for years, now I just take a little bit more. I am tired Dr Suen, so very tired. I took the poison because that is the only way I can see you often, to have you by my side" and Bak Yeung realised she loved him THAT much and he said "You were the most favoured concubine 7 years ago, why did you throw it all away for me?" and Fook Nga said "It was worth it, for me, but I am not the only one who loves you, we sisters married the same man and fell for the same man..." and then Yee Soon rushed in and saw her dying and tearfully asked "What happened? Why?" and Fook Nga gasping said "Yee Soon, listen to me, leave this palace with Bak Yeung, remember my words" and Yee Soon said "No, I won't, I will not leave you, why is everybody leaving me? Why is everybody dying on me?" and Fook Nga said "You must leave! Your sister would never rest, it would have been her wish! Leave!" and then she died. I don't think Yee Soon ever knew at that point Fook Nga was her sister. It was a very sad scene but also too long, I was waiting for her to stop talking and die for a full minute.

Anyway, she died.

Back to the empress. Shortly after Senior Suen left, Yuk Ying's maid came to see her offering some news for a chance to go home earlier and that concerns about the baby.

Back to Hung Mo waiting outside and guess who was in it? The Empress telling the emperor what she found out. "The baby by Wah Kwai Yan (Yuk Ying) is not your majesty's! This is confirmed by her maid. And perhaps your majesty may consider checking into Soon Kwai Yan's baby as well" and suddenly the emperor said "You mean they all meant to harm me? If that is so my empress, you shall bear the largest portion of the blame" and the empress was shocked. The emperor explained "Here I am worried about the rebels and my dynasty and there you are telling me the problems with the concubines. You're supposed to be in charge and you have done a bad job and have burdened me further!" and the empress was like "How can you say that? I was merely telling you the truth, I have evidence, I have witnessess" and the emperor was like "I do not wish to listen to your deceitful lies anymore! I have always know what you have done empress, I have known for years how you bully the others and ruled with tyranny but I have always closed one eye because you're the empress. But do not challenge my authority, do not stretch the limit of my patience" and the empress was in tears as she said "You think I meant to harm you? Those women, those concubines, they do not care about you. They just like the status but everything I have done, I did it because you're my husband and I am your wife, I am trying to safeguard your interest, to protect you!" and he said "Get out! GET OUT!" and angrily she left, screaming why why why is everybody against her.

Well for once the emperor is doing something useful but I understood his problems.

But before this scene, Hung Mo was still waiting when suddenly Yu Fei arrived and she said she wished to speak with him. She whispered "There is no point for you to wait her, the emperor is busy. Leave now before you make a mistake" but Hung Mo said "I will not leave until I see his majesty" and Yu Fei whispered "You will only hurt Onn Sin more. What do you think the emperor will think of you when you strolled in and express your concern for Onn Kwai Yan?" and Hung Mo knew what she meant because then the emperor would think they're having some affair and YU Fei said "I took back the poison, your purpose of seeing the emperor is no longer in existent. I will figure a way to save Onn Sin". And so Hung Mo left.

Meanwhile outside the palace, Chan Song has joined the rebels and was awaiting eagerly to get into the palace (he knew the way after all) to settle old scores with Hung Mo.

Pause here. Chan Song joined the rebels?! Let me laugh it off for like a few paragraphs.

Ok, continue.

Whilst the empress was angry with the emperor's reaction Yu Fei cooly strolled into her room and politely said her greeting and announced that "My dear sister, I am here to announce a very good news. I shall take Onn Sin as my sworn sister from today onwards and whoever shall do harm to her, I shall not forgive this person and shall ensure her downfall" and the empress was screaming "WHY ARE YOU PROTECTING THAT SLUT? (oh yeah, slut is the right translation for the word she used) WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING MY EVERY DECISION? WHY?!" and Yu Fei merely strolled out.

Back at her place, Onn Sin was very grateful whilst Yu Fei said "I have done what I shouldn't have done. But I am still powerful enough to ensure your safety, so I have done what I must" and Onn Sin said "I don't know how to thank.." and Yu Fei cut her off by cooly saying "There is no need for gratitude. We are all in the same boat, so now we must ensure it never capsize" and Hung Mo suddenly kneeled before Yu Fei and conveyed his gratitude, much to the displeasure of Yu Fei who really didn't want his gratitude. And Yu Fei invited Onn Sin to stay at her place, to protect her in a way.

Very good of Yu Fei and she did all these for Hung Mo. Lucky man!

At night as they were star gazing, Yu Fei said to Onn Sin "There is still time to mend the broken ties, take this opportunity to mend it with Hung Mo" but Onn Sin sadly said "My time to mend such ties has passed. I have hurt those I didn't want to hurt, harm those I never wished to harm and broken ties that I can no longer mend (she meant Hung Mo). I cannot involve him anymore in my troubles, I am married now to the emperor, it is impossible and Yu Fei, you know that yourself" and Yu Fei sadly said "Yes. How funny fate is isn't it? If it is not for my forcing you to marry that eunuch, you wouldn't have known how much Hung Mo loves you. If it is not for my fall from power, I wouldn't have strived to gain back my power and see things differently. If I hadn't been Yu Yuet and I've never entered the palace, and if I have met Hung Mo earlier, I wouldn't have ended up this way". Onn Sin could only agree.

Pause here.

Excellent scene here which I will has my vote as the most memorable scene for this episode. For one 2 good actors. 2nd 2 pretty actors. Most important of all, the contrast. Onn Sin had Hung Mo but she threw it all away and regretting she did that as she sadly noted broken ties could no longer be mended, simply because she's married it makes a whole lot of difference who she is married to. Yu Fei on the other hand never had Hung Mo and wished she had met him earlier and she would never had thrown away the opportunity. Two women reflected on their love for one good man and how different their situations are, and don't know which is worse; Onn Sin because she knew Hung Mo still loves her and will do anything for her and yet she can never be with him or Yu Fei because she loves him, can never be with him, will do anything for him but his heart belongs to someone else. I think Hung Mo likes and respects Yu Fei but he loves Onn Sin of course. Excellent scene and I can't blame them for fighting over Hung Mo, a great man in my opinion.

Anyway next day big thing happened. The emperor asked to see Hung Mo and told Hung Mo he was leaving the palace for some official business but meanwhile the emperor wanted Hung Mo to do something; "I have been very bothered with the problems of my concubines. It has caused me distress. But I know there is a solution and Hung Mo I want you to settle it for me" and Hung Mo said yes and Emperor said "I want you to kill Suen Bak Yeung". Of course Hung Mo was shocked but well Moses Chan was like you know injected with Botox or something because he didn't look appropriately shocked.

Next thing, emperor was away and then suddenly the rebels broke through the heavily guarded forbidden palace and last scene was a very angry looking Chan Song standing in the middle of the big big space looking rather deadly, unshaven but deadly.

Tomorrow, last episode Hung Mo said he has to kill Suen Bak Yeung, Yee Soon told Suen Bak Yeung to run for himself and not care about others, the Empress intends to use the rebels to kill off Yu Fei, Yu Fei and Onn Sin got attacked by rebels, Bak Yeung tried to persuade Yuk Ying to run but ended up slapping her (hurray!) and well we know who will die.

Story wise, tonight is a contrast of emotions. I feel after so many episodes the one character that kinda is consistent is Hung Mo who is my favourite character. I still don't like Yu Fei but I am beginning to get very annoyed with the empress. Ah a jealous woman after all. I was asked who loves the poor emperor then? Simple. The empress lar. Who else? I can't stand Yuk Ying and luckily she's not in this episode.

What I find disgusting though is how useless Bak Yeung become. I can't feel for his love for Yuk Ying which I will is blinded kind of love, the worst form of love there is. Blinded not just to her weaknesses but to her obvious flaws that are borderline questionable on her integrity. And I also can't understand why Yuk Ying's personality is like a yo-yo and I'll explain more in my review. Anyway disgusting. Bak Yeung was rather useless. And I bet it would be Yee Soon herself who had to escape on her own as that dumb man go after that idiotic woman. They do deserve one another. Feel for their love? Give me a break. Where got love? Onn Sin - Hung Mo - Yu Fei maybe.

Performance wise, Rebecca Chan did excellently, especially the confrontation with the emperor. Why she never won that veteran award? She deserves that award for this performance. She was truly vindictive, evil, unreasonable and yet never really shouted much.

Sheren Teng played a rather serious but mellowed down Yu Fei and I like this change. I guess the times in the cold palace deflated Yu Fei's ego which is great but still she looks arrogant. Good performance though.

Maggie Cheung as usual great. No more comments.

Jade Leung was good as Fook Nga but her death scene was far too long.

Charmaine Sheh is good as the perpetually depressed looking Yee Soon but she faltered a bit in that Fook Nga death scene. Her performance there was melodramatic, her actions deliberate therefore timed therefore fake therefore not very good. Other scenes she was good because doesn't require much acting.

Bowie Lam didn't do too well. Same problem as Charmaine Sheh, the only difference is degree of melodramatic acting, in his case lack of melodramatic acting. He seems ill at ease playing an emotionally vulnerable man and it shows. More in my review.

Moses Chan was ok. I like his Hung Mo but seriously this man needs more expressions to his Botox face you know. But he does resemble the righteous and romantic Hung Mo in many ways. I kinda like the idea of him being Min Jung Ho if there was ever a HK version of Jewel In The Palace because frankly Ji Jin Hee wasn't that great an actor. Moses did well in those tears are gonna roll down my cheek but not yet scenes. Just his facial expression is lacking. Oh imagine what Jang Dong Gun could do with this character!

Yu Yeung was ok but really what a miscast.

One funny observation. Previously I wrote that the emperor may find himself with a surplus of concubines but now he may find himself seriously lacking concubines with one dying in each episode. Very funny.

Anyway a very good almost last episode but still this series is spiralling towards ridiculousness so it's great it is ending tomorrow. I mean how could the rebels just run into the palace? Of course this series won't show the technical side of it after all it is not important, what is important is they're inside the palace to create a diversion so that everybody could run. Now the emperor may find himself lacking a guard, one doctor, 4 concubines, one empress and an unborn child. Funny.

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

EPISODE 28

2005-11-29T20:51:00.000-08:00

And the story continues to a rather melodramatic end I suppose. I am sorry to say I am losing interest in this series because the story keeps getting more and more ridiculous. It could have started with Onn Sin becoming a concubine, moving towards Onn Sin rather redundant as a concubine and kinda culminated on the fact that Yuk Ying then slept with Bak Yeung who was then threatened to keep silence on the baby in an attempt to...well you know..the whole long grandmother story but this one include also grandfather and grandson and all the relatives and believe me, the melodrama is getting a wee bit overcrowded. But there are some good sparks in here that kept me going, for one Senior Suen.

Senior Suen overheard Bak Yeung confessing to his long dead mother that he impregnated Yuk Ying, couldn't bring himself to leave Yuk Ying or even abort the child and knew he was wrong but could not stop loving that evil woman. Oh yes, I definitely hate Yuk Ying now. I think she singlehandedly destroyed the whole Suen family, but of course Bak Yeung's stupidity is also a really important reason. Anyway Senior Suen was shocked but did not confront Bak Yeung. Instead he asked his son out for a drink and then Bak Yeung became really drunk. When he woke up, he found out his father has left for the palace, left messages that Bak Yeung would not be in and that he asked someone to send a special medicine to Yuk Ying. Bak Yeung ran to Yuk Ying and stopped her from drinking which she almost did (and I so hoped she did) and Yuk Ying then reminded Bak Yeung of his promise to keep things quiet and handle things carefully. Like what Yuk Ying? Murder his father? Oh my god, I so hate Yuk Ying then. Why Bak Yeung want to subject himself to this piece of trash?

So Bak Yeung went home and found his father paying his respects to his dead mother. Bak Yeung rather hypocritically said "How could you carry out the empress' orders blindly? How could you want to kill the emperor's son in Yuk Ying? How could you?!" and Senior Suen rightly screamed back "The emperor's son? You mean your son? I heard what you said to your mother and luckily I did if not ...." and Bak Yeung taken aback accussingly said "You know the baby is your grandchild. How could you then?" and Senior Suen said "How could I not? That child is an illegitimate child that does not belong. You really think you can pass off the child as the emperor's child? You really think your plan can succeed? Wake up Bak Yeung! Wake up!" and Bak Yeung said "I will bear all responsiblities, I'll quit and leave the palace" and Senior Suen mockingly said "You think you can bear it all? Do you think you can truly bear all this responsibilities? Do you think you can just walk into the palace, quit and then walk out just like that?Bak Yeung, I have tried hard to save you, to save the Suen family and that is why I did what I did! But what's done been done. You will forget about this and live on, at least the problem is solved now" and Bak Yeung in his small voice said "It's not solved yet" and Senior Suen said "You didn't stop it did you?... This is my retribution! Do you know why I did not come home to say my final good byes to your dying mother 3 years ago? Because I was busy aborting Yu Fei's unborn child on the empress' orders! This is truly my retribution for all the sins I have committed! For all my sins..." and Bak Yeung whispered "You aborted Yu Fei's child 3 years ago?" and Senior Suen was in tears and Senior Suen said "But I can settle this. This can be solved" and he took a small knife and Bak Yeung stopped him and cried "Father, you can't kill yourself over this, it won't solve the problems" and Senior Suen said "I am not planning to kill myself, I will cut my fingers, report to the emperor that I am no longer able to be of service to him, we can all leave the palace and live peacefully elsewhere, hopefully this could save our lives" and Bak Yeung stopped his father and Bak Yeung tearfully said "No father, if there is anyone who should do this, it should be me" and he cut I think 3 of his own fingers and Senior Suen ran to him and hugged his son tightly as Bak Yeung said "Father, I am sorry. I have misunderstood you all these years, I finally realised everything you have done was for me and to safeguard our family name. Please forgive me father, please forgive me..." and I think he fainted though I can't remember.

Why I can remember this scene so well? Maybe a bit of my own emotion included as in words but truly almost an exact replica of that scene. Because this is the best and most memorable scene tonight and truly probably the best scene of the entire series because the emotions are raw, high and so sad. As I was writing the above, I felt like crying because Senior Suen is so noble. He may have done wrong but he realised he was wrong, he helped Yu Fei and he refused to help the empress and he strived to do the right thing although it may not be morally right and he really loved his son and his daughter in law, so he is a good man and Bak Yeung was so stupid. Such am amazing scene and may I say very well acted by Chan Hung Lit but Bowie was kinda melodramatic in here, not very good with extremes of emotions I guess.

Ahhh more sad stuff this time because of stupid Onn Sin.

The empress was having her hair combed one day (very pretty Rebecca Chan in this scene) when the maid complained that her fingers seems to be scalded or what's that word? Burnt by something whenever she touched the empress' hair since she got her fingers cut I think. That immediately raised an alarm in the empress and she realised she was being slowly poisoned through her hair which explained why she was often not well. She knew it was Siu Luk Tzi since he only touched her hair.

Siu Luk Tzi's fingers was also burnt. He did what he did for Onn Sin but Onn Sin didn't know. He advised Onn Sin to work hard to win the emperor's affection but Onn Sin refused and said "Do you expect me to carry his child?" and Siu Luk Tzi said "He is yourb husband" and Onn Sin retorted "He is merely a tool to avenge my grandmother's death. I may have married him but I need not love him. I am free to love anyone I want, he can't impose that on me", probably talking about Hung Mo. She also said "I have chosen this road, I knew how difficult this path would be, I knew it would be a lonely one and perhaps it is better this way". Then the empress' eunuch asked Onn Sin to see the empress and told Siu Luk Tzi that the empress wished to have her hair combed later and Siu Luk Tzi said he will wait for orders.

Onn Sin now with the empress and the empress immediately revealed her true colours by saying "I have a difficult question Onn Kwai Yan which I hope you may assist me in finding the answer" and Onn Sin said "I shall be glad to" and the empress asked "Everybody knows Siu Luk Tzi is like your brother. Do you think you can kill me by asking Siu Luk Tzi to poison me?" and Onn Sin was taken aback and she said "I don't understand my lady, I never would do that" and the empress sniggered "Of course you wouldn't unless you knew I ordered for your grandmother to be killed. I did that to make you stay to serve me, to ensure Yuk Ying is set right and to assist me but you're so stupid..." and Onn Sin immediately knelt before the empress and begged "My lady, if you must, take my life but I have one request; please spare Siu Luk Tzi's life".

Meanwhile a maid overheard the eunuchs planning to poison Siu Luk Tzi and she ran to Siu Luk Tzi and said "Don't go Siu Luk Tzi! Don't go! The empress has ordered for your death. What did you do Siu Luk Tzi to make her so angry?" and Siu Luk Tzi said "I have to go, if not they'll think I ran away and Onn Sin would be in trouble" but the maid said "But you'll die! Don't go! What did you do Siu Luk Tzi?" and Siu Luk Tzi said "I have to go" and he did and immediately he was given a cup of wine on the pretense that he was being rewarded but everybody knew and the eunuch said "You know you can't refuse the empress' gift" and Siu Luk Tzi said "Thank you for being here on my death" and he drank it and immediately spurted blood from his mouth.

Meanwhile Onn Sin was begging but the empress said "You're after all a Kwai Yan and I can't kill you just like that. Don't you worry, I will find a reason so for now you can leave for a while longer. But that Siu Luk Tzi, that dog of a servant, he can die now" and Onn Sin immediately ran to find Siu Luk Tzi and found him halfway towards somewhere I couldn't make out and she hugged him and before his death he confessed his love for her and said "I was castrated when I was 18 and I never dared to think I could give you happiness but I have always loved you. I never regretted what I did...Go find Hung Mo, he is the only one who can help you, go to him..." and he died in her arms and Onn Sin could not stop crying.

Another meanwhile, that crying maid that begged Siu Luk Tzi not to go ran to Hung Mo and passed him a letter written by Siu Luk tzi and the maid said "I always knew something was not right when Onn Kwai Yan became a concubine. She must have had her reasons" and Hung Mo read the letter which explained everything and he knew. He immediately ran to Onn Sin who was in her room but Onn Sin said "Leave me alone" but Hung Mo said "Siu Luk Tzi wrote in the letter why you did this. Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you.." but Onn Sin said "I don't need your help, look what happened to Siu Luk Tzi. I don't need your help, go away" but Hung Mo said "Onn Sin, please don't do this. Please let me help, listen to me, I will think of a way to help you, the empress can be defeated, it is a matter of time" but Onn Sin said "How? I have thought of every plan and calculated my every move but in the end I failed, she exposed everything. Go, let me be, this is my journey to travel alone" and he said "Onn Sin" and she said "I think you should refer to me as Onn Kwai Yan, Onn Sin is not a name you can freely say, go" and he went away.

Hung Mo didn't give up. He went to Yu Fei and he asked Yu Fei to save Onn Sin's life but Yu Fei said "I can't help her. She tried to poison the empress" which is something even Yu Fei would never have done. But Hung Mo knelt before Yu Fei and said "I abandoned her in the times of need. I was foolish to let her walk through this journey alone and even blamed her for leaving me. I was foolish and I want to do something for her. Please Yu Fei, only you can save her, please help her" and Yu Fei softened and she said "If you don't stand up, how can I help her?" and he did and he went away. The eunuch besides Yu Fei commented "Foolish Hung Mo, even now he can't draw the line between Kwai Yan and himself" which meant he shouldn't have been in love with a kwai yan but Yu Fei looked a bit sad, in fact a tiny bit jealous that Hung Mo would do anything for Onn Sin.

At night Onn Sin was praying for Siu Luk Tzi's soul where he died and Yu Fei approached her. Yu Fei said "I think I can be of assistance to you, as it is Hung Mo's request. This is not the end, you can still defeat the empress" but Onn Sin was gloomy looking and said something I can't remember and Yu Fei didn't say anything but gave her something that shocked even Onn Sin's maid. That was the end for tonight.

I wonder, what did she gave her? Something like a golden plaque?

Anyway tomorrow drama as Hung Mo was told by Yu Fei "The only way Onn Sin can defeat the empress is to die with the empress!" and Hung Mo was well I guess shocked and tried desperately to stop Onn Sin.

Tonight's episode is great because of Senior Suen and Onn Sin and everybody else bad bad bad. Like I said melodrama but I love Onn Sin too much not to be drawn into her story. I feel she is very redundant as the concubine though and instead of becoming a concubine, she could have just you know continue as a maid and assist Yu Fei rise back to power. I mean it is just pure B.S storyline for Onn Sin and kinda almost killed this character. I'll talk more in my review.

Anyway the golden scene is Senior Suen. Everytime he meets with his son you could expect great moments and this is one of those scenes, perhaps the best there is.

Performance wise, I have said enough of Chan Hung Lit who put in an emotional punch tonight worthy of a veteran actor of his age whilst Bowie falters somehow. Not very convincing.

Sheren Teng as usual has that arrogant high and mighty look but that fleeting moment as she was watching Hung Mo walking away after begging her to help Onn Sin was a great moment. She could see the hurt in her eyes but she loved him too much not to say no.

Moses Chan did well in various scenes tonight though I expected more emotions from him when he discovered of Onn Sin's real reasons. I mean I expect like 'Ohhhhhh Onn Sinnnnn whyyyyyy whyyyyyy whyyyyy nooooooon Onnnn Sinnnnnnnnnnnn" you know. Maybe that's overacting a bit but more than just "Oh Onn Sin" that's it. I wish I can tell this to you because words do no justice to my comments.

Maggie as usual was wonderful except her Onn Sin like I said has been given a B.S type of storyline.

Rebecca Chan was simply evil as the empress. Loved it when she said "That dog servant can die first". Again English words do no justice to the dialogue in this episode.

Gigi Lai was horrible. Horrible. So horrible I have to repeat the word horrible like ... horriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorrible horriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorrible horriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorrible horriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorrible horriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorriblehorrible

Officially I hate Yuk Ying more than Yu Fei. That woman is bad news and well Bak Yeung was stupid. What more can I say? Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid

Ahhhhh series ending in TWO DAYS. How time flies. How time flies indeed. Ahhhhh will I miss this? I don't think so.

Next one is Twins of Brothers or Twin of Brothers or Twins of a brother or something like that. The costumes look radical, acting I am sure is not.

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

EPISODE 27

2005-11-28T20:50:00.000-08:00

Missed tonight's episode as too sick to concentrate. But did manage to see a few good scenes;

- Yu Fei rises to power again as her daughter finally died and she took her daughter to the emperor, really cried and the emperor felt so sad he gave Y Fei back her status. Yu Fei told Hung Mo she did that deliberately to make the emperor know how it feels and to make him feel guilty enough to give her back her power, so that she can fight with the empress again. Hung Mo was very cold towards her, but I missed what was it that made him feel so cold towards her.

- Bak Yeung misses Yuk Ying

- Fook Nga knows Yee Soon is her sister but does not plan to tell Yee Soon the truth

- Empress asks Senior Suen to abort Yee Soon's unborn child but Senior Suen refuses and instead said "Perhaps my lady should do more good deeds so that my lady would feel better about herself, after all such actions my lady wishes me to do are merely temporary relief".

We will find out later Senior Suen dies I think from what I could see from the ads.

Anyone can fill in the blanks for me?

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

EPISODE 26

2005-11-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

Very sick tonight so I'll just give a short rundown.

- Onn Sin regrets being a concubine and wishes she did not do so much harm to others. Siu Luk Tzi said "You can always quit" but one wonder, how?

- Yee Soon faints when visiting Fook Nga and discoveres she is pregnant with the Emperor's child. But she is not happy because her heart yearns for Bak Yeung who in turn yearns for Yuk Ying.

- Yuk Ying has lost her power and so she is often being looked down by younger concubines. She knows this is the consequence of helping Bak Yeung and she vows to climb back on top again. She locks herself in her room, thinking about Bak Yeung whom she now loves very much whilst Bak Yeung could not visit her due to the scandal.

- Yee Soon meets with Onn Sin and gained better understanding of Onn Sin who frankly told her "Let us not fight anymore. I am not interested in you nor Yuk Ying. You have your purpose and I have my own purpose. Let's make peace shall we?" but Yee Soon said "Should I trust you?"

- Yee Soon then sees Onn Sin staring at something and Yee Soon says "I never knew you could remininsce about the old times. It shows you have a conscience and you are indeed the Onn Sin I knew" but Onn Sin said "I am not thinking about the past, I am thinking who is more pitiful; the branch covered in snow (I think she said this, not sure) or myself. I think myself, I am more pitiful. But I have chosen this road and I must not look back. Neither should you" and Yee Soon and Onn Sin gained a better understanding of one another and Yee Soon wonders whether she can trust Onn Sin again.

- Meanwhile Yu Fei's eyesight is ok already thanks to Senior Suen. But she confronts Senior Suen and gace him a choice; "Am I to trust you? Hung Mo says he trusts you but he never knew about the past. I knew you did it. I knew you helped the Empress to abort my child 3 years ago and so don't try to deny it. But you can help me now to make up for all that you've done to me. Ensure my daughter's safety, you can do that." but Senior Suen said "I can't help you on that because little princess is malnourished and she will not live past this age" but Yu Fei does not believe him and makes him swear he will help her and so Senior Suen agrees. Hung Mo heard everything.

- Senior Suen then tells Hung Mo Yu Fei's story; "What the Empress did was something that any would have done to ensure her position. Yu Fei was pregnant with the emperor's son and the empress wanting to ensure her son's succession to the throne did what she had to do. I aborted the child 3 years ago. Yu Fei was never always this mean when she first entered this palace. Wouuld that surprise you? She was a sweet innocent girl then but she learned fast enough not to trust anyone ever again".

- Yu Fei likes Hung Mo very much because he is very attentive towards her when she was very sick.

- Eunuch Tsui is very happy at Yee Soon's pregnancy but he is not happy with Fook Nga and Yee Soon meeting each other again. So he tells his wife he has sent a letter to Fook Nga telling Fook Nga the truth about Yee Soon but Mrs Tsui tearfully said "You can't do that! When she reads the letter she will realise they're both Hans and wanting to protect her sister, she will surely kill herself!" and Eunuch Tsui said "That is exactly what I hope she will do". Meanwhile Eunuch Tsui brings in another little girl to be trained by Mrs Tsui but Mrs Tsui refuses to do so since Yee Soon is now very favoured in the palace but Eunuch Tsui said "What is she losses the emperor's love?!" and proceeded to I think slap Mrs Tsui. Mrs Tsui could not bear to see Yee Soon hurt again and so when Eunuch Tsui was bathing, she pushes him under the water and drowned him whilst she screamed and screamed in fear. She tried to look for the letter but it was missing.

- The Empress has ordered Senior Suen to ensure Yee Soon's pregnancy will not bear any fruit. Or maybe this is in the next episode? Very sick, can't remember.

- Meanwhile Yee Soon knows Bak Yeung misses Yuk Ying very much and wanting to ease his pain she asks Fook Nga to invite Bak Yeung over and help him see Yuk Ying. Bak Yeung couldn't believe Yee Soon was doing this but Fook Nga said "Do you think I'll do anything to harm you?". And so Bak Yeung walks into Yuk Ying's room and Yuk Ying tearfully screamed at him saying "Why didn't you tell me? It is so typical of you! Why?!" and Bak Yeung is about to leave when Yuk Ying hugs him begging him not to go and they spent one night together. You know, they had sex lar! Yee Soon was having tea with Fook Nga and Fook Nga said "Why did you do this?" and Yee Soon tearfully said "I want to let go and I feel I can let go after this...".

- Bak Yeung leaves to drink wine alone, maybe regretting what he did whilst Yuk Ying is happily combing her hair when she has this evil look, for no reason.

THE END.

Best Scene
Definitely the scene where Bak Yeung came to see Yee Soon, checking her pulse but he was busy looking at Yuk Ying's room. Yee Soon tried to tell him how she feels where she said "I can't stand this anymore, to hide how I feel. I feel so unwell, I feel so suffocated, I..." but Bak Yeung was busy looking at Yuk Ying's room to pay her any attention. She knew and she shut up.

Also when Onn Sin was screaming at Siu Luk Tzi, expressing her pain and anger for hurting so many people.

Best Performance
Without a doubt, Charmaine Sheh turned in an exceptionally great performance tonight, or maybe I was too sick that I was imagining she being great. Nahhhh she was very good. She neither shout nor scream but rather she just delivered her lines with this melancholy type of looks. Very good, her best was when she was confessing to Bak Yeung her feelings but he was looking elsewhere. She really looks depressed.

Worst Performance
Gigi Lai, as always. Why did she have that evil look at the end? Why she had to talk like she breaths so much? Why?

Notable Performance
Maggie Cheung who gave an excellent performance with her Onn Sin very much in anguish.

Overall a very good episode with a bit on Yu Fei's background, but too little. So now I know how evil the empress was, she did this to Yu Fei before 3 years ago but can't blame her or Senior Suen. That's the consequence of seeking power and protecting one's own son's status. Yu Fei being the favourite, her son will be favoured too by the emperor. I wish there was a flash back scene because I still don't like Yu Fei.

Tomorrow, the baby dies.

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

EPISODE 25

2005-11-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

Tonight is entirely on "Who shall we blame for Suen Bak Yeung's predicament?"

Yuk Ying ran crying to Onn Sin's room and she blamed Onn Sin for Bak Yeung's predicament. Onn Sin cooly and rightly said "The one who planned this was you. The one who involved Dr Suen was you. The one who put him into this predicament was you. And now you're accusing me for something you have done?" and Yuk Ying screamed "If not because of you I wouldn't have done all that! It was your fault!" and Onn Sin said "I know I may be blamed but you're not entirely blameless" but Yuk Ying didn't care and she tearfully screamed "If anything bad happens to Suen Bak Yeung, I swear it that you will never have a peaceful day!".

Oohhhhh, like what are you gonna do Yuk Ying? Screamed me to death? This woman blames Onn Sin when she herself did what she did. What a horrible woman.

Yee Soon was very worried. She didn't know what she should do and she wanted to visit Fook Nga when suddenly she heard news that someone surrendered and indeed as I have predicted it was Fook Nga.

Fook Nga told the empress she wanted Bak Yeung to help sell some stuff and so that was why she met him at the theatre. But the Empress was too cunning. She cooly said "Do you think I would believe that? Go back to where you came from, do not get yourself involved in this. You know you're not the person I am looking for, go if not I will not let you have another peaceful day!".

Yee Soon met with Fook Nga and Yee Soon asked "You could have died, why did you do this?" and Fook Nga reasoned that it was because she felt gratitude towards Bak Yeung. Yee Soon asked "Is that all?" and of course Fook Nga denied anything more.

So now this is interesting. If Fook Nga can't save him, who can?

At night Yuk Ying couldn't sleep. She was having nightmares and reliving the memory of Bak Yeung almost eating that poisoned desert. Yee Soon also couldn't sleep as tomorrow the emperor will be back and before that the empress surely will execute Bak Yeung. So she went to see Onn Sin who was surprised to see her. Yee Soon cooly said "I came here to create a deal with you, a deal which I am sure you will most benefit from because from tomorrow onwards you will have one less competitor. I am not afraid of death, I am only concerned about Eunuch Tsui. I ask only of you to help Eunuch Tsui. You do know I have a very special relationship with Eunuch Tsui and why I am in the palace. I only ask that if Eunuch Tsui were to step on the wrong foot, you could speak some good words on his behalf before the Emperor to spare Eunuch Tsui his life". Onn Sin said "What makes you think I'll agree to your request?" and Yee Soon curiously asked "What more can't you agree? You will benefit most from this" but Onn Sin said "You don't have to sacrifice yourself" and Yee Soon said "You have another way?" and Onn Sin said "Neither you nor I need do anything. By tomorrow morning the matter will be solved" and Yee Soon asked "Don't tell me you believe Yuk Ying will surrender herself?" and Onn Sin said "Call me foolish and I myself have doubted her but I know she will do the right thing. I believe in her" and Yee Soon said "What makes you believe she will surrender herself? She is Yuk Ying, she is selfish and she cares only for herself" and Onn Sin said "I used to think like that too but she has changed" and Yee Soon asked "In which way?" and Onn Sin said "Love changed her. She finally realised she is in love with Suen Bak Yeung and because of love she will do what she can to save her. So it would be wasted effort for you or I to act. Go back and wait. It is a matter who acts first. By morning if Yuk Ying still have not leave her room, I will reconsider your request".

And so 3 women waited.

Pause here.

Why I can remember the bulk of what was said between Yee Soon and Onn Sin because this is one of my favourite scenes in this episode. The translation and retelling may not be accurate but this is by far my most accurate depiction of what happened in that scene.

Come morning Bak Yeung was ready for his execution. His father met him half way through and his father said "Do you have anything to say to me?" and Bak Yeung said "Please assume you have never had me as your son. I am sorry". Senior Suen I think said "There is no need for that. One of the concubines has surrendered herself" and Bak Yeung was very surprised.

Yee Soon was seen walking into the empress' room when to her surprise she saw Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying explained to the empress "I wanted Dr Suen to give me a love potion to make the emperor stronger and more pleasure. I know what I did was wrong but Dr Suen was merely assisting me" and the Empress asked "Is that so?" but nonetheless the empress punished Yuk Ying by house inprisonment and Bak Yeung was demoted and sent home for a few days until the emperor passed a sentence himself.

Yee Soon could not believe Yuk Ying surrendered herself as she told Fook Nga and Fook Nga said "You wished you were the one?" and Yee Soon said "I wished I have been earlier, I wanted myself to be the one to surrender. Maybe that way I can live better with myself" and Fook Nga said "It does not matter. Even if you do that Dr Suen will not appreciate you, his heart belongs to Yuk Ying" but Yee Soon said "That is not important to me, I just want to know I had been the one to do what Yuk Ying did". Love.

Anyway Eunuch Tsui was beating his wife until she was bleeding because he saw Fook Nga and Yee Soon together. He angrily said "Why didn't you tell me they met one another in the palace? Why didn't you stop them?" and the wife tearfully said "I couldn't have stopped them. They don't know each other, they are just friends. It will be alright, moreover the one person who knows, Dr Suen never said anything" and Tsui asked "Dr Suen knows? Even a stranger can come to such a conclusion more so Yee Soon! I can't let Yee Soon know this, because she will never be loyal to me if she knew I separated the two sisters. Something must be done to remove one of them forever"...poor Fook Nga. She will die.

Meanwhile back at home, Bak Yeung was again blasted by his father, deservingly so. But Hau Shu quickly came in and tried to stop the scolding by saying someone was there to see Bak Yeung.

It was Heung Fau.

"What are you doing here?" asked Bak Yeung and Heung Fau in her usual smiling self said "You wife asked me to come to see you, as she knew you seemed to have troubles and she wanted me to talk to you". Bak Yeung couldn't believe his ears and Heung Fau said "You do have troubles troubling you? You can't let go of your feelings for Yuk Ying?" and Bak Yeung finally confessed "I couldn't" and Heung Fau said "She is the emperor's woman, your feelings for her will go unreturned and it may even harm you and her in the end. You must learn to let go even if you can't. You're very lucky to have a loving family who is concerned about you and yet you were willing to sacrifice yourself and even them for this woman. This shows how important this woman is in your heart and because of that you must strive to forget her. Do it for your family and Hau Shu. Going back home and letting go is really not that difficult" and Bak Yeung agreed his family loved him and he should stay home but he couldn't forget Yuk Ying. Heung Fau said what she have come to say and it is now up to Bak Yeung to face reality. I don't think he can. He's too smitten with Yuk Ying.

Meanwhile Hung Mo was having a conversation with Yu Fei nd Yu Fei told Hung Mo she know about the Bak Yeung - Yuk Ying scandal. Hung Mo said the matter was settled and that Yuk Ying confessed but Yu Fei said "I do not think the problem is Yuk Ying..." and Hung Mo asked "If not Yuk Ying then..." and Yu Fei said "Onn Sin".

What she meant was Onn Sin was the trouble maker.

Onn Sin was helping the empress with her painting when the empress remarked "Onn Sin, help me look at these paintings. Which is the one that makes me look smart and which is the one that makes me look stupid" and Onn Sin knew the empress was trying to tell her something and she said "I am really not that good at paintings so I do not know" and Empress said "Surely you must understand I am the empress and what is my position in your heart?" and Onn Sin said "You're the empress, the respected one" and the empress said "Is that so? You do know Onn Sin that I do not condone concubines trying to outdo one another to gain attention and to take all attention away. To do that I can guarantee, I will not this concubine off lightly. Do you understand me Onn Sin?" and Onn Sin said "Yes I do".

Onn Sin also expressed her disbelief to Siu Luk Tzi about Yuk Ying's actions and also what the empress told her. Siu Luk Tzi said "That means she knows" and Onn Sin said "I was never her favourite, I really do not care". She said "I almost couldn't believe myself she surrendered herself but luckily she was let off lightly" and Siu Luk Tzi said "You can blame yourself and she did what she was supposed to do" but Onn Sin said "I can't forgive myself and quite frankly I couldn't have done what Yuk Ying did. I was evil, Yuk Ying in the end proved herself decent and good. She did the right thing whilst I didn't take that path...".

At night Hung Mo was passing by when a sedan passed by and fell. The sedan was broken and the eunuch asked Hung Mo to look after the concubine inside the sedan for a while as they go fetch a new one. The concubine inside was Onn Sin. Hung Mo walked to Onn Sin who was surprised to see Hung Mo but was happy to see him. But Hung Mo was very stiff towards her and then she knew why; "Why did you do that to Suen Bak Yeung?" and Onn Sin tried to explain "It is more complicated than what it seems" and Hung Mo said "I have always known you were ambitious but I never thought you could do that to Dr Suen" and Onn Sin tried to protest her innocence but Hung Mo refused to listen any further and the new sedan came and so he went on his way and sadly she went on hers.

Poor Onn Sin. It was Yuk Ying who created the trouble and now Onn Sin was blamed. Even Hung Mo misunderstood her.

The rest of the episode is on Yu Fei.

Yu Fei was sitting alone on the snow waiting for Hung Mo to take her to see her daughter as she doodled on the ice someone's face. I wonder who; either her baby or Hung Mo. Anyway she stared far too long at the white snow when Hung Mo came she faced him and discovered her eyes was very blurry. She panicked but when she calmed down in her room she said "Ahh you're not from around here so you wouldn't know this illness. It is temporary blurry eye sight caused by myself staring way too long at the white snow, I will be fine" but she wasn't because she couldn't see where the cup was when the maid handed it to her. Hung Mo was worried and said he will inform the emperor to get permission to seek medical opinion but Yu Fei said "No! You don't have to. I don't want you to do that! Let it be!".

Next Hung Mo was having a chit chat with the emperor where the emperor confessed "I am troubled by recent events. If it was state matters I could have handled it well but the troubles amongst the concubines is not comforting. I shouldn't have raised the rank of Onn Sin, that caused a whole lot of trouble. Yuk Ying only wanted to have my heart and so she did what she did." and Hung Mo said "Your majesty, you must trust Dr Suen" and the emperor said "I do trust him, I believe him. I am not as heartless some think of me, and that was what many thought of me when I raised the rank of Onn Sin for wanting the new and forgetting the old" and Hung Mo said "You can't be said for wanting the new because you're the emperor, it is your right and I don't think your majesty has ever forgotten the old" and the emperor agreed and Hung Mo said "Surely then your majesty remembers Yu Fei" and the Emperor said "Yu Yuet? I have not seen her for a long time. How is she?" and he said this with a bit of longing. He still loves Yu Fei, no doubt. Hung Mo said "She is sick..." and he explained her condition.

Next thing Yu Fei was told the empress and Senior Suen came to see her and her eyes was still as bad as ever. But she held her head up high and walked out. The Empress wasted no time to mock her but Yu Fei stomached it all. Then the empress said "Ok then, let's have Dr Suen inspect your eyes" and Yu Fei said "There is no need for him to do that" but the empress said "I have to inform the emperor I have at least let Dr Suen inspect your eyes. Oh come on dear sister, let Dr Suen to what he must do, at least let us all pretend it was done" but Yu Fei said "There is no need" and the empress said "Oh, ok" and she left.

Pause here.

The empress clearly meant she didn't come here to let Dr Suen to inspect her eyes and even if she did she would probably have asked Dr Suen not to cure her blindness. Very vindictive woman but I still can't pity Yu Fei.

Senior Suen scolded Hung Mo why Hung Mo had to inform the emperor as he could have informed Senior Suen who would have secretly go to see Yu Fei. Now he was very worried about Yu Fei's eyesight and he knew Yu Fei will refuse treatment because of pride.

Pause here. Senior Suen remains as the voice of reason. Very strong character.

Anyway Yu Fei meanwhile did not take her worsening eye sight lightly. She was angry with the empress and she wanted to see her baby. She didn't want everybody to say she depended on Hung Mo to even see her baby and so she went by herself and got lost. Then suddenly she heard Hung Mo's music (which was taught by Onn Sin) and she followed the music. Hung Mo knew Yu Fei was lost and the palace was very big so he thought of playing the flute hoping that will catch her attention. And then suddenly he heard "Is that you Hung Mo?" and Yu Fei was saved.

Yu Fei explained to Hung Mo why she refused medical treatment as "I don't people to think I need them and that I depend on them for my wellbeing. I do not wish to be seen in this light as I am down enough right now.." and Hung Mo confessed; "I should have apologised to you a long time ago but I didn't know what you would think of me. I knew about the Buddha jade incident and it was I who ratted you out because I wanted to save Chan Song. I caused you to be in this state, I am sorry. But I believe even if that didn't happen, I would have helped you to see little princess because I wanted to. Please let me help you with your eyesight problem" and Yu Fei forgave him and accepted his help, finally realising this was one person who was willing to help her without any agenda.

Last scene was a naked Onn Sin with the emperor sleeping next to her with his hands over her stomach. She blankly looked at the ceiling and then gently pushed the emperor's hands away.

Anyway next 5 episodes are the last 5. Wahhh so fast eh? Episode 1 was like yesterday only! Anyway next 5 episodes got trouble as Yuk Ying sleeps with Bak Yeung and many more. It's ending soon. Can't believe it's ending soon.

Wow! What a last scene! Excellent scene which shows everything. She doesn't love the emperor, she hates her life now and probably regrets leaving Hung Mo. She should have married Hung Mo and get on with her life. I really do blame the writer for screwing up this character. Don't we have enough of fighting concubines?! So sad for Onn Sin. Even Hung Mo refused to believe her.

Anyway let me say tonight's episode is full of quotable quotes. What Heung Fau said to Bak Yeung, what Hung Mo said to Onn Sin, what Onn Sin said to Yee Soon and what Yee Soon said to Fook Nga, all are quotable quotes and very memorable. But to me the most memorable had to be the Yee Soon-Onn Sin scene because I was totally in disbelief that Yee Soon loved Bak Yeung so much to want to die for him and Onn Sin didn't think it was necessary. Very good dialogue and very memorable scene. But one must understand even if Yee Soon surrendered herself she can't die because if she did, that means Bak Yeung had to die as death means they did something wrong. I think I should term it more clearly; Yee Soon may have to lose her position and be subject to gossips, something Fook Nga highlighted but Fook Nga said "I am ok with that since I am out of favour, it doesn't matter what people say". But to Yee Soon and Yuk Ying it may matter a lot. I also like the scene where Yee Soon looked at Yuk Ying in disbelief and back in her own room she stared at Yuk Ying, not believing she actually gave herself in.

For that, I must applaud Charmaine Sheh for giving an excellent performance tonight. Excellent because she managed to bring out Yee Soon's troubled decision and her determination to save the man she loves without screaming, kicking, pointing or even emoting at all. Emotiong means facial expressions. Yee Soon gave me an impression is a very "yau wat" person as in very sad and Charmaine Sheh rarely smiled in this series, more so in this episode. Her worries that no one will save Bak Yeung as she waited for that one night was well done as she had tears and sick with worry. Her Yee Soon is quiet but cunning, deceitful but loyal to love and is not unwilling to seek help if she had to. Very layered personality that is all highlighted tonight. Also looking very pale. I like her performance tonight. Which makes sense for me to repeat that she should have been nominated for most improved and not best actress because quite frankly she has improved but she is still beyond the league of really good ones. At least she would have a chance at winning something other than just turn up and smile.

Gigi Lai was simply over the top. Ok in terms of emotions but over the top in the way she delivers her lines, screaming and all.

Maggie Cheung had the honours of playing the most misunderstood character tonight and she did it well.b I particularly like the last scene where she pushed the emperor's hands away with her disgusted type of looks.

Bowie Lam merely had to look serious and worried tonight but still a good performance.

The actress who played Heung Fau was quite ok, always with a smile whilst Rebecca Chan, looking very beautiful tonight was in top form as the evil Empress. She is particularly nasty and I think Rebecca must be enjoying herself.

Moses Chan did decently tonight but his best scene is with Maggie Cheung as he refused to look at her as he said the accusations. I can't quite understand why not many like this character because I find Hung Mo a very interesting and charismatic character and Moses Chan a very charismatic actor. Let's put it this way; he is not a fantastic dramatic actor but at least he is consistently average which in a way is good. I like consistency but he does have his moments.

Sheren Teng was ok. I think I'll comment more on her in my review proper.

Everybody else was ok.

Can't believe it is ending soon. In a way good because I am running out of comments, very tired of typing. I think for this series I have more recaps than giving my opinion. What more can I say?

Oh ya one major point. I think there is a technical mistake in here. That scene where the empress came to see Yu Fei, Yu Fei sat at the head of the room which is usually sat by the master of the house. Guests will sit by the side, like the empress did which is uncharacteristic of the empress. You must remember she is powerful, high ranking and very arrogant when it comes to Yu Fei and she relishes all opportunity to step on Yu Fei and mock her. So the Empress should be sitting where Yu Fei was sitting, more so she is of higher rank, like a big sister and is the master. Yu Fei should have sat on the chair meant for the guest. Clearly a very huge technical mistake in my opinion.

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

EPISODE 24

2005-11-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

Very headache inducing episode because so many things happening that can be quite confusing.

Yuk Ying met Onn Sin and agreed to work with her to oust Yee Soon. Onn Sin, very uncharacteristic of her offered a fool proof plan, where they will create a fictional affair between Yee Soon and a man within the palace, that way Yee Soon will be out of the picture. I say uncharacteristic because if this is successful and Yee Soon can't explain the fictional affair, Yee Soon could get executed and I can't see how Onn Sin could do just that. Anyway Yuk Ying agrees but exactly the plan don't know yet.

Meanwhile Hung Mo arranged and successfully helped Yu Fei to see the little princess. Yu Fei sadly said to her daughter "I never knew how to appreciate you until I have lost you" and she gently hugged her daughter. On the way back to her place whilst walking on the snow in the wide place, Hung Mo was walking ahead when Yu Fei said "I wish to thank you with all my heart for helping me. I realise now I was so arrogant, I didn't see the error of my ways and when in my worst, you have helped me without conditions attached. I am thankful for you" and Hung Mo said "Oh don't say that, it was nothing" and he looked back and he saw Yu Fei was walking in his footsteps like Onn Sin did! He remembered what Onn Sin said to him and he sadly looked away. Then Yu Fei twisted her foot and he volunteered to carry her back and find a doctor. Yu Fei shyly accepted and as he carried her in the thick snow, she looked at him in a different light.

Pause here. A very moving scene if you ask me. To see Yu Fei finally acknowledging she was a bitch before and see her mellowed down is great as well as seeing this woman walking in Hung Mo's footsteps is indeed very interesting.

Anyway, Bak Yeung came to see Yuk Ying and Yuk Ying exposed him for the painting incident. She then asked "Are you in love with me?" and Bak Yeung could not answer and he quickly begged for forgiveness for making a fake painting. And then knowing full well Yee Soon was watching them, she deliberately fall onto Bak Yeung, dragged him into her room and closed the door, which to Bak Yeung may look like a mistake but to Yee Soon she thought Yuk Ying was trying to harm Bak Yeung by seducing him. Bak Yeung was smart enough to suspect something was amiss but he let it be.

Yee Soon could not sleep as I think she may fear Yuk Ying was planning something to harm Bak Yeung. She immediately asked her maid to deliver a letter to Bak Yeung, requesting to see him some place to discuss some important issues. I think she wanted to warn him about Yuk Ying.

The next scene reveals the deception of Yuk Ying. She said "I may hate Yee Soon and I will deal with her soon but I hate you more" and you meaning Onn Sin! She asked her maid to intercept Yee Soon's letter and she wrote her own with her own name because she knew Bak Yeung may not come out to see Yee Soon but if the letter was by her, he will come see her because he was in love with her. Yee Soon will meet Bak Yeung at the original place whilst Bak Yeung was asked to meet Yuk Ying at the theatre which is forbidden for men to enter. Meanwhile Yuk Ying wrote secret letters to the Empress to say a secret affair between a man and a woman from the palace was going on there and definitely the empress will place her spies to catch that person. I think the empress must know there was infighting amongst the concubines. She should be happy someone is helping her to get rid of someone else. So the trap has been set.

Meanwhile Onn Sin found out the fictional affair would involve Suen Bak Yeung and she confronted Yuk Ying asking her why Suen Bak Yeung and Yuk Ying said "You were the one who wanted to oust Yee Soon. You were the one who came out with the plan. What is Suen Bak Yeung to you? Do nothing and I guarantee Yee Soon will be ousted this time".

But Yuk Ying knew Onn Sin would not stand and see Bak Yeung falls because like she said "I am betting on your conscience that you will stop this meeting and then you will be the one suspected of the affair!". She really wanted to harm Onn Sin.

Onn Sin was battling with her conscience. She blamed herself for coming up with this plan but Siu Luk Tzi said "Yuk Ying was the one who came up with the methods, don't be too hard on yourself" and Onn Sin said "Why shouldn't I be? Remember when I was forced to reveal Yee Soon's identity and I didn't? That was the most dangerous times but I couldn't do it, more so now. I must stop Suen Bak Yeung"

So at night as Bak Yeung left his room for the theatre, Yee Soon left hers for somewhere else and Onn Sin walking towards the theatre to intercept the meeting with Yuk Ying looking on, Onn Sin suddenly heard the flute music she loved to play and she thought it was Hung Mo. She walked towards that music and came to the temple and in darkness she couldn't see who and she gently said "Hung Mo?" and the person revealed herself and it was Yu Fei. Onn Sin was shocked and asked "How did you know this song? You never came from that are I came from" and Yu Fei cooly said "It was Hung Mo who taught me and he gave me this flute as well" and Onn Sin looked hurt and Yu Fei knew and Yu Fei said "I know you may not hear me on this but I am going to give you a piece of advice. You have chosen this path, so you better stick with it. Do not wander around of what ifs because you can't change your destiny now. I am not saying this to save you but I am saying this with the hope that you will recognise that if you let your feelings linger on, in the end Hung Mo will be the one hurt most because he could be punished for this" and Onn Sin looked very sad.

Meanwhile Bak Yeung was arrested on suspiscion of having an affair with either a palace maid or a concubine whilst Yee Soon was waiting elsewhere thinking where was Bak Yeung. Onn Sin was informed that Bak Yeung was arrested and she knew that she has been betrayed by Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying meanwhile found out Onn Sin never turned up and she was very upset when Onn Sin came to her and said "Feeling disappointed I didn't fall into your trap?" and Yuk Ying said "I thought you would have a conscience, at the end of the day you're just like everybody else, and you would rather protect yourself and see Suen Bak Yeung dead than to help him. You're despicable". Onn Sin said "How could you? I was trying to help you" but Yuk Ying screamed "You betrayed me first! I am just following your footsteps, you taught me well!" and Onn Sin said "The fight is between us, why involve Suen Bak Yeung? He saved you and he helped you, how can you do this to him?" and Yuk Ying said "You are aware he likes me don't you?" to which Onn Sin didn't know and Yuk Ying said "He is just a mere casualty, I am not bothered with that. What I was betting on your conscience but apparently you haven't any left" and as Yee Soon was walking back Yuk Ying screamed "Don't go noble on me. You wanted to harm Yee Soon first, if not you then her!" and Yee Soon shocked said to Onn Sin "You set this trap on me?" and Yuk Ying happily clapped and said "Well great great, now all is gathered here, great! What a great show!". Yuk Ying refused to save Bak Yeung.

Next day Bak Yeung was under house arrest and investigation by the guards. The Empress met with the 3 of them and said she was not pleased with the turn of events. She asked them to investigate which maid was meeting with Bak Yeung.

At the same time Bak Yeung was being watched over by Hung Mo. The Emperor was not in the palace to judge this and Bak Yeung was hoping the judge will clear his name since "I was accused of adultery, but there is no proof without the adulteress".

As the 3 walked out of the empress' room, Yee Soon was very angry but she silently walked on and she almost tripped and Onn Sin tried to help her but she said "Don't pretend to be nice with me!" and Yee Soon finally said "What are you going to do about Dr Suen? (To Yuk Ying) He has helped you so much and yet you could set this trap on him! (To Onn Sin) What has he done to you that you could do this to him? He is going to get hurt, what are your plans to save him?" and Yuk Ying said "I don't plan to do anything. If you wish, why don't you go and admit that woman was you?" and Yee Soon was very angry she walked away. She in a way blamed herself since she first wrote the letter.

Hung Mo was walking through the garden when he heard that music that Onn Sin always played. He smiled and walked towards the music and saw a female figure and he smilingly said "Yu Fei, you have improved" and she turned it was Onn Sin. Hung Mo was surprised and suddenly stopped smiling whilst Onn Sin felt hurt to know that he was on such friendly terms with Yu Fei. Onn Sin tried to warn him about people in the palace by saying "You should be careful of whom you befriend" and Hung Mo sarcastically said "I have been betrayed before so I think I can judge a character, so don't Onn Kwai Yan worry for me" and he walked away leaving Onn Sin feeling hurt.

Meanwhile Bak Yeung was still under house arrest. His father marched into his room and it was to me the most memorable scene tonight as the father said "I do not know what you were doing there, but you must know, you have to reveal this woman's identity" and Bak Yeung said "The emperor is coming back soon, he will give me justice" and senior Suen said "The emperor? Do you actually believe you can live long enough to wait for the emperor to return? The empress is a devious person. Whatever she wants, she will get and she will strive to get it. She wants to know who is the other woman. If you refuse to tell, of course you will be punished. But she can also punish you by the 9 generations rule. Do you know that? I am old and you have always hated me, so if I die first, I am sure you won't feel anything, you may even feel happier. But have you thought about your wife, Hau Shu? She too will be punished. Bak Yeung, who is that woman? You have to choose now, to save either woman, whether the woman in your heart or the woman who is your wife. Bak Yeung, please..." and Bak Yeung was thinking hard.

Hung Mo was having dinner with Bak Yeung when Bak Yeung suddenly asked "Do you think what I am doing is foolish?" and Hung Mo said "I can't judge you on that. I myself have been betrayed and have betrayed others. And that is not the most important question. The most important question is is this woman worth protecting?" and Bak Yeung did not know the answer.

Meanwhile Yee Soon could not bear to see Bak Yeung hurt. She blamed herself and she confronted Yuk Ying but Yuk Ying refused to do anything and all she said was "If you so care, why no turn yourself in?" and Yee Soon said "I am not that stupid!" but there she was, Yee Soon was walking very fast and she could not breath when eunuch Tsui stopped her. She said to Eunuch Tsui "Godfather, I know I have disappointed you. But Dr Suen landed himself into trouble because of me. Godfather, I must save him. I will say he was bringing me medicine. I am going to surrender myself" and Tsui said "I am not going to stop you because I know you will blame me if I do". Surprise surprise! I can't remember what else was said but in the end Yee Soon did not go and again Yuk Ying was furious because she was hoping Yee Soon will surrender herself. I think Yee Soon wanted to but by Tsui not stopping her she felt a duty towards Tsui not to spoil the entire plan. And so she didn't go.

Yuk Ying was in fear that Bak Yeung will reveal her identity sooner or later as she wrote the letter. Her maid said Bak Yeung did not do so and no one can find any letter to that effect which meant Bak Yeung burnt the letter. But Yuk Ying was still in fear and so she thought of a plan and said to her maid "Get me some rat poison". She made some dessert with the poison and went to see Bak Yeung disguised as an eunuch. Bak Yeung said "I appreciate you coming here but it is very dangerous" and Yuk Ying faking it all said "I just wanted to see you to discuss some matter, I did not know it will end up like this! I am so sorry" and Bak Yeung looked like he knew she was faking it. "Anyway I bought you some dessert, maybe you want to have some" and Bak Yeung looked at the gluitonous rice and looked apprehensive and he slowly took a piece and was about to bite into it when the young assistant walked in and he said "Oh Master Suen, don't eat that! It's gluitonous rice, not good for your injured finger. Here you have this and I'll take this to share with the other eunuch" and Yuk Ying looked furious that her plan was spoilt when the young eunuch was about to take a bit Bak Yeung screamed "DON'T EAT IT! IT IS POISONED!" and the eunuch was shocked whilst Yuk Ying looked straight up shocked as well. Then he said "You will not reveal what happened in here tonight, understand? Leave us alone now".

Yuk Ying walked right up to Bak Yeung and tearfully said "You knew it was poisoned and yet you still willingly wanted to eat it. You will die! Why did you do it? Why? You think I will be thankful, that I will return your love? How foolish can you be to protect me, when I wanted to kill you. Why?" and Bak Yeung was silent and Yuk Ying said "I am a devious person, I wanted to hurt you, I set the trap on you, do you think I am worth all these trouble?". I can't remember what he replied when the eunuch walked in and said another top eunuch was coming into his room. Bak Yeung immediately said "Quick, take Yuk Ying out of this room now before anyone sees her" and Yuk Ying slapped Bak Yeung hard and ...

tommorow, it will be a waiting game. It is either Yee Soon or Yuk Ying who will save Bak Yeung. BUT let me guess here. I think Fook Nga will save Bak Yeung? Very unlucky man to have the woman he loves set him up and yet very lucky man to have so many women worried for him.

Tonight's episode is weird. It feels like so rushed especially Yuk Ying who at the beginning of this episode was at one end and at the end of this episode is at the other extreme end. It may be confusing to some why she would trap Bak Yeung. She is not trapping Bak Yeung but using Bak Yeung to trap either Yee Soon or Onn Sin. She knows Onn Sin has a conscience whilst Yee Soon is in love with Bak Yeung. To her Yee Soon could have done worse to Yuk Ying but didn't because her love for Bak Yeung held her back. And she thought Bak Yeung was genuinely in love with her and yet was one gang with Onn Sin so she didn't think twice of hurting Bak Yeung. And Bak Yeung that stupid man allowed her to hurt him without even thinking about his father and his wife. I like the fact that Senior Suen is his voice of reason which he refusd to say. He was right about the implication on Hau Shu which is not fair. He got himself into this mess he must figure a way out to get himself and others out.

I also like the more subdued Yu Fei but suddenly she is like the Aunt Agony of an advice column. She is suddenly so subdued, she is beginning to give advice that others are willing to listen to. The familiarity in the way Hung Mo called out her name as in Yu Fei in one scene was interesting; interesting because his relationship with Yu Fei has got to such level without the viewers knowing. It is like so rushed that some plots just jumped the gun and we are made to make assumptions when clearly I would love to see Yu Fei warming up to Hung Mo. I would like to see how on earth he gave her the flute and why she was interested in accepting it. None of these tonight.

Can't blame the director though. Already episode 24 and 6 more episodes to go and

a. Yuk Ying is still not having an affair with Bak Yeung

b. Onn Sin is still nowhere near the empress, in fact she seems too far away embroiled in in fighting when she should be finding ways to bring the empress down

c. Yu Fei is still down and out and not quite in love with Hung Mo yet

d. The empress is still reigning as the empress

e. Yee Soon still does not have a definite role and purpose in these rivaly and Eunuch Tsui is still silent in his plans for her

f. Fook Nga has yet to reveal that she loves Bak Yeung

g. more importantly, still don't know Yu Fei's background. I still don't quite like her BUT it would be nice to see her background earlier than later

All these not done yet and still only 6 more episodes to go! What to do? No time! Must rush!

And the whole "I must avenge this" involving Bak Yeung is so out of character for Onn Sin, Yee Soon and Yuk Ying. Involving Bak Yeung is just an excuse to make us misunderstand Yuk Ying, draw Yuk Ying and Bak Yeung closer and make us like Yee Soon again. But it is getting tiring you know; to like and hate and like and then hate, I feel like my feelings is being manipulated by this series without a sense of specificied aim and purpose. This series just shows one devious then nice then bad then nice and it is neverending. It's almost boring actually. I am hoping to see they all gang up to get rid of the empress but of course why should they? Which brings back to the old problem of the plot of an evil empress to make Yu Fei look good and to give Onn Sin something to do instead of just being the follower. But it is interesting that Yu Fei recognised the fact that she herself deserved her downfall for first underestimating the empress and also for forgetting what's most important to her; her child. She realised she was ruthless and she didn't like that. That is quite a change.

So far only the men seems consistent since they follow what the women do. Bak Yeung is consistent throughout and Hung Mo is very consistent. Nothing too dramatic for them which surprisingly is good because too much going ons can be confusing and also if not written well with a solid plot, it may fall flat. Tonight's episode is one of that example but why it didn't fall flat because of the performances.

Charmaine Sheh I must say did a marvelous job tonight. I always thought her Yee Soon looks depressed and sickly and tonight she was able to convey her Yee Soon's desparation and worries to save Bak Yeung and her love for him. She may earlier pretend she has no more feelings for him but tonight it is clear she still loves him, and she loves him enough to want to turn herself in and she didn't do so because of her loyalty to Eunuch Tsui. So Yee Soon is like stuck between love and loyalty. And the way she said "You set the trap on me?" when she overheard what Yuk Ying said to Onn Sin (which the line was meant for Onn Sin) was also very revealing in the sense she was in disbelief that Onn Sin could do that. I think in a way she viewed Onn Sin as a friend and it hurt her to know Onn Sin may think otherwise of her. Charmaine Sheh may not be great but she is effective in her performance tonight, her best being the scene where she scolded both Onn Sin and Yuk Ying.

Maggie Cheung on the other hand had to deal with a sudden change of character to her Onn Sin which I am sure may be baffling even to the actress herself. So her best scenes are not those devious plotting scenes which did not make sense since her target was the empress and not Yee Soon or Yuk Ying. Her Onn Sin is supposed to be a person burdened by her kind heart and conscience so what she planned to do to Yee Soon was out of character since Yee Soon has yet to do anything evil on her. Her best scene remains the one with Hung Mo and the way she heard the song and surprised that it was Yu Fei and the hurt in her eyes when Hung Mo called out Yu Fei instead of her name and then said what he said. Very good performance and it is the subtle changes in her eyes and her stares that made this episode a good one in terms of performance.

Sheren Teng did not have to get involved in plotting so there are more expressions to her face instead of mean or worried. In here she looked rather sad but in a way contented with the way things are. However I do not think she gave the best performance. I never thought Sheren Teng was awesome in any role but she is a good actress and an effective one in moments that require her to give a different interpretation for her role. And I do think with lesser make up she looked simple and yet pretty, like refreshed type of beauty. Compared to the excessive make up on Gigi Lai (scary, like 6 inches thick foundation) and Maggie Cheung (even more scary, like 10 inches thick foundation), her make up in here was minimal and beautiful.

Moses Chan was effective as the hurt Hung Mo and the helpful Hung Mo whilst Bowie Lam gave an excellent performance as the love sick Bak Yeung who is torn between protecting the woman he loves and ... well protecting the woman he loves. He doesn't quite seem to care about his father or Hau Shu. Useless character but GREAT performance.

Chan Hung Lit did very well tonight as he confronted his son in my choice for the most memorable scene tonight. Everytime these two men meet, there will be some great dialogue and glad to note that I am getting used to his accent.

Tonight is best because of performances and therefore fans of any of the above mentioned must not miss this episode. BUT fans of Gigi Lai will also say the same thing but I am not her fan so this is what I have to say.

Gigi Lai probably gave the worst performance tonight. Less Godzilla moment but amazing eyebrow action tonight, the way one eyebrow could lip up so high, the other remained in place whilst she smiled that evil smile and smirk a lot. Her performance tonight was not just over acting but painful to watch as she overdoes her facial expressions; she could win the extreme facial expression competition. I was like why her? Why Gigi Lai? She practically killed this episode if not for Bowie Lam's performance. That scene of her screaming and crying at Bowie was particularly painful to watch because again, she cried too prematurely and then she was screaming so loud. Her visit is supposed to be private, quiet and forbidden and this woman screaming away, I think the entire forbidden city can hear her! She could learn a bit from Charmaine Sheh who thus far did neither scream not whisper but simply delivered her lines to good effect. Charmaine should have been Yuk Ying because I feel Yuk Ying shouldn't scream, she should whisper as it is more threatening. What a horribly bad performance.

Anyway I wanna write a bit on the women's make up. Rebecca Chan remains as the most beautifully made up actress in this series, her costume amazing, the head gear amazing, her make up just right. The worst has to be Maggie Cheung with her 10 inch foundation and powder, making her look old. Next is Gigi Lai with her 8 inch foundation which was unnecessary because she has good skin, no need for such extreme make up. Charmaine Sheh surprisingly had not to say little make up but subdued natural looking make up that makes her look pale. I think Yee Soon is supposed to be sickly. Sheren Teng has the simplest make up and she looks better like this. But the prettiest amongst them all, that kinda surprised me because I never thought of her as that pretty looking was Jade Leung. She looks great in costume series and in here she looks very beautiful eventhough her costume is not elaborate.

Out of the 4 female characters in this series, Onn Sin is still my most favourite but for tonight I will choose Yee Soon as my favourite for just this once because she almost gave herself up to save Bak Yeung. She may have been temperamental, she may have been calculative and plotting but she wasn't really evil in that sense. Yuk Ying is evil because she can be very nice but like tonight she can be very destructive. I am beginning to hate Yuk Ying and like Yee Soon again as after all Yee Soon was just a woman scorned.

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

EPISODE 23

2005-11-22T20:45:00.000-08:00

The rise of Onn Sin continues.

The Emperor asked for Yuk Ying to meet him but Onn Sin intercepted that message and instead of telling Yuk Ying, she told Yuk Ying that she must go to temple to ask for blessings and so Yuk Ying went, as Onn Sin pretended to have stomach ache and could not go with her. Meanwhile Yee Soon was walking back to her room when she saw Onn Sin dressed as an eunuch climbing into the sedan. Yee Soon smiled her devious smile.

The Emperor was not pleased that one of the two eunuchs have dirtied his favourite painting. He was angrily scolding them when it was announced Yuk Ying arrived and smilingly he looked for Yuk Ying but it was Onn Sin. The Emperor was very angry why Onn Sin was in disguised like Yuk Ying and Onn Sin explained that Yuk Ying was not feeling very well and yet could not disappoint the emperor and so she sent Onn Sin. The Emperor didn't quite believe that but well, he was angry about the paintings and Onn Sin helped him solved it and the Emperor recognised that she is very smart. Onn Sin said "Your majesty, I am just a servant hoping to serve her master well, to ensure her master's worries go away and to please him in everyway I could" and the Emperor then walked very close to her and said "Do you know now what I like?" and next thing we know, he was jumping into bed with her.

Wahhhh the emperor so easy to seduce.

Anyway meanwhile Yuk Ying was praying when Yee Soon came and Yuk Ying said "What are you doing here?" and Yee Soon said "My dear sister, aren't you supposed to play dress up and meet with his majesty?" and Yuk Ying said "Well not tonight, but then not that you are seeing him much aren't you?" and Yee Soon smiled and said "Now that's strange. Hmmm..where's Onn Sin? You know, sometimes the person you most trusted may in the end turn on you, after all he is the emperor, who would want to be a servant for life?" and Yuk Ying was feeling something strange was going on. Once back in her room indeed she discovered her golden plaque was gone, her eunuch clothes were gone and Onn Sin was not in her room.

At night Onn Sin returned and quietly put back the stuff when Yuk Ying was there sitting in the dark waiting for her. Onn Sin quickly said something like let her light the fire or something but Yuk Ying said "Why? Why did you do it? I trusted you, why did you betray me? WHY? WHYY?" Oh yeah, she really screamed. Onn Sin could not answer her but could only say "Everybody has their reason, I have mine but I do not wish to talk about it. I was wrong but I had to do what I had to do. The Emperor has a lot of women, not you alone. Just take it that I have betrayed you for material gains" and Yuk Ying said "I treated you like my friend, I thought you were my friend" and Onn Sin said "I was never your friend although you may have treated me as one" and Yuk Ying tearfully said "I grew up in my family not knowing who to believe, who to trust. I couldn't bring myself to trust anyone until I met you and you thought me to trust again and now you betrayed me. Why? How could you do that when I have been so good to you?" and Onn Sin could not say anything more than "I was never your friend and neither was you mine. I am sorry it turned out the way it is.." and she left, leaving Yuk Ying crying her heart out and Yee Soon happily sipping her wine.

Bak Yeung went to see Heung Fau but Heung Fau coldly received him. Bak Yeung asked "Could you please sit with me and have some wine with me?" and Heung Fau coldly said "Of course, you need not ask, after all I am here to serve you if you pay me right" and Bak Yeung quietly said "I have never seen you in that light, you know that" and Heung Fau said "I know but I'd rather you see me as a prostitute because then it will be easier on me. It is not easy for me to receive you knowing well that you came to see me because you could not forget the woman in your heart. It hurts me and I do not wish to feel that way and I prefer our relationship to remain as professional" and tearfully Heung Fau left the room and Bak Yeung sadly went home to see Hau Shu waiting for him. Hau Shu said his father was waiting for him in the study room, he walked in and he saw there were many packages. His father angrily said "That Heung Fau sent all your gifts back. I do not know what is wrong with you but you must wake up!" and Bak Yeung angrily said "Please don't bother with my matters" and the father said "Why did you come home? What is going on? Are you running away from someone? Who are you avoiding? Even Heung Fau knows where to draw the line, why can't you see that? Bak Yeung, WAKE UP! WAKE UP AND LOOK AT THE REALITY!" and Bak Yeung refused to answer his father's questions when an eunuch suddenly appeared and senior Suen shouted "Who is it in the palace who wish to see me now?!" and the eunuch timidly said "The audience of Dr Suen Bak Yeung is requested" and Bak Yeung knew who called him.

Back in the palace Bak Yeung was seeing a very sad looking Yuk Ying who said "I am not sick, I do not need any medicine" and Bak Yeung said "I have heard what happened" and Yuk Ying said "Master Suen, do you know of any medicine that can make me forget? Any medicine at all that can erase all my unhappy memories so that I can sleep better? I do not wish to remember" and Bak Yeung said "You can forget, just assume you have never met Onn Sin" and Yuk Ying said "How can I do that? I have met her, she gave me such wonderful memories, how can I just assume I never knew her?". Ahhhh a problem that only Yuk Ying herself can solve.

The Empress looked kinda pleased to see that Onn Sin was the concubine, now Onn Kwai Yan and she asked Yee Soon "Where is Yuk Ying?" and Yee Soon said "My sister is still not feeling well" and the Empress said "I do understand how she feels, and so did the emperor but she must understand she is not the emperor's only woman" and Onn Sin looked slightly worried about Yuk Ying when Yee Soon said "I can't blame my sister for feeling betrayed and bitter about this after. After all Onn Kwai Yan was a mere servant to her and now they're equal, it is difficult for Yuk Ying to face with this betrayal when Onn Sin acted behind her back" and Onn Sin denied betraying Yuk Ying and the Empress closed the case by saying "I understand which is why his majesty was very worried how Yuk Ying will take this news. Which was why he gave her this (jewellery) and Yee Soon, please give this to her" and Onn Sin said "Perhaps I should go and see mistress to apologise to her" and the Empress said "Why do you still refer to her as mistress? There is no need to apologise, she will have to accept this. From now on Onn Sin you take good care of the Emperor and with Yee Soon as well take good care of the Emperor" and both said ok.

Then Yee Soon brought the gift to Yuk Ying who was looking at the painting of her mom and herself (which Bak Yeung drew) and Yuk Ying said "What do you want? Quickly say it and leave" and Yee Soon smilingly said "Her majesty asked me to bring this to you, a gift from the emperor" and Yuk Ying looked at it but was not very happy. Onn Sin said "What? You're not happy with this gift? I can understand of course, now that Onn Sin is a kwai yan, equal with you, you must feel awful to have been betrayed"... and Yuk Ying refused to let Yee Soon gloat on and so she said "Don't you worry about me. I will be alright and then I'll get back his majesty's heart so that neither you nor Onn Sin could win" and Yee Soon said "You're very confident, for someone so betrayed by so many people. Do you not realise that painting you love so much is not the original? Oh yes, Suen Bak Yeung drew that, and now you should realise everything Onn Sin did from the beginning was to use you to get near the emperor and Master Suen was merely helping her" and Yuk Ying looked very hurt as Yee Soon handed the original painting and she was in shocked. Yee Soon left the room triumphantly as Yuk Ying felt her whole world crumbling.

Hung Mo was walking by when a sedan was blocking his road and inside was Onn Sin. Hung Mo dared not look into her eyes and simply said "Hung Mo greets Onn Kwai Yan" and Onn Sin pleasantly said "Oh Master Hung, if you have something important to do, you go first, do not let my sedan block your road" and Hung Mo whilst looking on the floor gloomily said "I dare not take your path Master, as you're my master and I am your servant. You continue on with your path as I shall not stop you but I hope you will not regret this path you're taking" and Onn Sin sadly looked away and the sedan passed by an equally sad looking Hung Mo.

Hung Mo then saw Yu Fei who was gently asking asking the bird in the cage to be quiet a bit but when the bird refused Yu Fei pleaded with the bird. Hung Mo was in a very bad mood and so he walked right up and took the cage and said "Allow me to take this cage away" and Yu Fei said "What are you doing? I do not need you to please me this way" and Hung Mo curtly said "Why would I want to please you? You're no longer in power, there is no need for me to do that" and Yu Fei was very angry and Hung Mo equally as angry said "Fine" and he put down the cage but it dropped and the bird flew away. Hung Mo quickly went looking for it, followed by a very anxious looking Yu Fei when Hung Mo walked out and in his hands was the lifeless body of the bird. He said "I am sorry Yu Fei, I was drunk, I should not have behaved the way I did" and Yu Fei sadly said "It is alright. It is only a bird...I never knew how much I missed her until she is gone..." and Hung Mo immediately knew and said "Yu Fei misses little princess?" and Yu Fei did not say anything and Hung Mo said "Don't you worry. I know the eunuch who is taking care of little princess, I can see what I can do to bring her to you so that you can see her".

Yu Fei was full of hope, hoping that Hung Mo succeed when Hung Mo returned empty handed and he said "I am sorry Yu Fei. I have wanted to take little princess to you but suddenly his majesty requested to see little princess" and Yu Fei disappointed said "It's alright, at least the emperor is seeing her" and Hung Mo said "Yu Fei, little princess is getting better. And since the emperor is now seeing her, I am sure the doctors will not delay in treating her so Yu Fei need not worry so much about little princess' health" and Yu Fei said "Perhaps it is better this way, I doubt I could do much for her in my condition". And then I forgot what happened.

Anyway Eunuch Tsui asked Yee Soon what she planned to do about Onn Sin and told her not to worry so much about Yuk Ying. "Yuk Ying is now the emperor's favourite concubine, Onn Sin is occupying most of his time, he has very little time for you. When was the last time he slept with you?" and Yee Soon said "Don't worry godfather. I have a plan, I will form a pact with Onn Sin to edge out Yuk Ying" and Tsui said "They were so close once before, do you think you can persuade Onn Sin to topple Yuk Ying?" and Yee Soon said "I know I can, after all Onn Sin and Yuk Ying are now rivals" and Tsui said "If this does not succeed, you can always threaten".

Yee Soon met with Onn Sin and she asked Onn Sin to make a pact with her to be one gang since Onn Sin once saved her life and Yee Soon thought Onn Sin was the best candidate but Onn Sin did not agree and Yee Soon said "Do you think Yuk Ying will forget your betrayal? Do you think she will let you go or are you hoping you can still be friends with her? Don't be foolish" and Onn Sin said "Whatever is my relationship with her, however volatile it may be, need not mean I will make a pact with you" and Yee Soon said "Don't be foolish! If you don't make a pact with me, you're then my enemy and I'll do everything within my power to destroy you and those that surrounds you" and Onn Sin panicked and said "Why must you drag everybody else into our fights between the 3 of us? Why must you do that?" and I guess Onn Sin was worried about Yee Soon doing something to Hung Mo and Yee Soon said "Remember what I said and choose wisely" and Yee Soon left leaving Onn Sin very stricken with what she should do.

Onn Sin went to see Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying was not pleased to see her and Onn Sin said "You do realise there are 3 of us in this fight for power and you and Yee Soon can never be one pact and so the decision lies with me.." and Yuk Ying said "Yee Soon came to see you? She wanted to gang with you? Well well well I am sure you two can be sisters then" and Onn Sin said "She did come to see me but I have no wish to gang up with her. I wish to form an alliance with you to oust her" and Yuk Ying said "Why should I trust you after what you did to me?" and Onn Sin said "Think about it" and she left.

At night the Emperor was showing Yuk Ying some paintings of herself and the emperor and Yuk Ying was no pleased with the painting but the emperor said "I know what you're angry at. I know the decision was sudden but I want you to know, neither Yee Soon nor Onn Sin can accompany me to view these paintings, the privilege lies only with you" and Yuk Ying smiled a bit. Then Hung Mo and Bak Yeung came to see the emperor and Bak Yueng explained "I need to take your majesty's pulse and I could not find you and I asked Master Hung to lead the way" and the Emperor said "Oh Dr Suen need not carry out the pulse check now, I trust you. Please Dr Suen, would you mind giving me your opinion on the paintings?" and Bak Yeung said "I do not dare to give my comments to such beautifully painted paintings" and the Emperor said "I have heard Dr Suen is a very good painter" and Yuk Ying said "Well if Dr Suen is reluctant to comment on the paintings perhaps Dr Suen will agree to draw us?" and the Emperor said "Oh yes, yes why not?" but Bak Yeung declined and said "I am not a great painter, I paint as my mother loved to paint and I painted only my mother" and Yuk Ying asked "Dr Suen has never painted anyone else?" (since Yuk Ying knew about the double copy of that painting but Bak Yeung didn't know she knew) and Bak Yeung said "No" and Yuk Ying or emperor, can't remember who said "So your love for painting was nurtured by your mother's love for painting?" and Bak Yeung said "Oh no, she painted in her leisure time and her subject was always my father. My mother painted only the person she loved and I have all these while painted for the same reason" and Yuk Ying suddenly realised what Bak Yeung meant (as in he painted her because he loved her) and she was misty eyed and confused when suddenly the emperor said "Oh well, I will not force you then. Yuk Ying, we will use that two paintings and turn them into kites and for that I want you to know only you have that privilege, not Yee Soon, not Onn Sin" but Yuk Ying was too shocked by what Bak Yeung said to really take in what the emperor said.

Once back in her room she hung the two same paintings side by side and her maid curiously said "My lady, why are you hanging these two paintings together? They are the same" and Yuk Ying said "I too didn't realise how similar both are until now" and the maid said "But they're somewhat different. I like this one (pointing to the one Bak Yeung drew) as my lady's portrait looks very life like, very real, and anyone can see the painter must have used his feelings and attention when drawing my lady" and Yuk Ying smiled and said "I noticed too..." and then suddenly she said "Please call Onn Sin for me, I wish to see her now...".

Tomorrow, Yuk Ying swear to hurt somebody real bad but don't know who. Maybe Onn Sin?

Anyway interesting episode. I have not much comments as making Onn Sin a concubine to me is a step closer to melodramatic usual TVB stuff that takes away a certain uniqueness of this series. I mean she wanted to hurt the empress and yet she allowed herself to act in such devious way and got involved in the mess between Yuk Ying and Yee Soon. I was wondering, wanna hurt the empress? Leave the palace and marry Hung Mo, leave a happy life rather tha be dictated by the empress. We all know the empress wanted her to stay, thinking that by killing the grandma Onn Sin will stay and dedicate her life to serve the empress. BUT imagine if you will if Onn Sin insisted on leaving and technically the empress can't stop her unless she kills Hung Mo leaving Onn Sin with nobody. Wouldn't that hurt the Empress more by defying her and leading a life that is happy and based on free will? I don't quite like Onn Sin becoming a concubine.

Worse still the speed in which the emperor jumped into bed with her is shocking. It's just sex, at the end of the day but the emperor could find himself with a surplus of Kwai Yans at the rate he is going.

Anyway most memorable scene had to be Onn Sin meeting with Hung Mo halfway and what he told her. Very sad.

Performance wise, Gigi Lai was LOUD but after watching tonight's episode I can't blame her Yuk Ying for screaming. But not that loud but anyway you know but.. I have a lot of buts with Gigi's performance tonight. Not bad at all, as she conveyed the shock, teh betrayal, the realisation all very well and her performance not that over the top except for that screaming at Onn Sin part which is totally understandable.

Charmaine Sheh has very little to do nor is she expected to show any other expression other than a smiling observor.

Maggie Cheung was good, as she conveyed the hurt and doubt everytime Yuk Ying or Hung Mo is mentioned. The pain is there. Very good performance.

Bowie Lam did well too whilst his scene with a shouting Chan Hung Lit was very well done. This father and son relationship is unique and very interesting to watch to see them loving and respecting one another and yet angry with one another. Very complex relationship.

Yu Yeung was horrible as an actor.

Moses Chan did well tonight to convey his frustration and the way he talked to Yu Fei at the beginning was rude but appropriate. A good performance that I am very satisfied with.

Last but not least, Sheren Teng conveyed her sadness over missing her baby and her disappointment very well. I still don't pity her Yu Fei but her missing her baby is quite pitiful.

I must comment a bit more on Yu Fei. I think I have said before she never really cared for her daughter and even used her daughter to win the emperor's trust. Tonight Yu Fei confirmed my opinion of her when she sadly said "I never realised what I've got until I lost it" meaning she never really loved nor appreciated her baby until her baby was taken away. Consistent development and a good one as this shows Yu Fei has finally come down from her high horse and looking at things at a much simpler way; is her baby well and all that. This part of her story I like but again I must say, still don't like this Yu Fei.

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

EPISODE 22

2005-11-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

And so the deception continues. I feel very sad for Onn Sin.

Where did I stop last night? Let's see... yes, Onn Sin is determined to take down the Empress. Siu Luk Tzi, that selfish man encouraged her to formulate a plan that is long term but Onn Sin was saying "She is the empress, what could I do?". Indeed, what could she?

In perhaps this episode's most heart wrenching scene, Onn Sin was cutting a bit of her hair and inserting it into some clothes and sewing it. I was wondering she must really miss her grandma when suddenly an eunuch walked to the outside of the room and Onn Sin quickly hid herself as the eunuch called "Master Hung! Master Hung!" but Hung Mo wasn't there and so he left.

Pause here.

I almost cried buckets! I thought she was sewing for the grandma but she was actually sewing inside Hung Mo's always seen with it cape her hair, a symbolic gesture that she shall always be by his side as she sat in his room. She was teary eyed. And then she noticed his shoes, also needed mending which she did lovingly and then she sat on his bed and carefully slipped her feet into his shoes, remembering the Winter Sonata moment where I forgot to write these in, where she said to Hung Mo "I will walk on your footsteps, as long as you're walking, so shall I and when you wish to stop, just inform me and I shall stop with you". I was like "WHYYYYYYYYY ONN SINNNNNN WHYYYYYYYYY?!?!??!". She should have just let go and marry him because Hung Mo was on the rise. But how then could she forget her grandma and how her grandma died?! HOW?! It was a very sad scene.

Anyway as she was teaching the other maids to sew, the maids said "Ahhh Kuku is well loved by the empress!" and Onn Sin sadly said "Let me tell you all something. Never be too smart, never show yourself too much because if you do, the tasks will be more difficult for you. You need only to fulfil your obligation, send this blanket on time but never earlier because if you're too capable, they will never let you go and expectations will be higher and you may be bound forever by that expectation". I guess she was talking about herself.

I guess in a way I understood why the Empress wanted her, since Onn Sin is smart. BUT this must not be seen in the modern context of power struggle within companies or directors. Back in those days servants are nothing more than humble servants or in Cantonese literally "lower people". They are of such lowly status why would the empress care whether Onn Sin is in the palace or not? In a way I see the empress as desparate. She wanted to hold on to something that she was willing to hurt an innocent person.

Next scene we have Hung Mo, in the cold lonely winter guarding the temple when he overheard the empress holding Yu Fei's baby gloating away whilst Yu Fei, now in very simple clothing humbly submitted to the Empress' gloating. The Empress said "You should know that I am the empress and I will only stop being the empress upon my death or upon removal by the emperor but never will I stop being the empress by substitution my dear sister". Yu Fei could only look at her daughter longingly but could not hold her. The Empress promised to take very good care of her and yet whilst she was saying that she scratched the baby's face lightly with her very sharp nail cover, which alarmed Yu Fei but she could do nothing. In an attempt to appease the anger of the empress, she volunteered to remain in the temple to copy some very thick sutras and the Empress gladly allowed her to do so with very little help from the servants. In fact no servants at all. And the empress walked away laughing, Yu Fei teary eyed and Hung Mo for once saw the side of Yu Fei nobody saw before, the humble side.

Pause here.

No doubt the empress is evil. Not mean, not bitchy but evil. To scratch that poor baby's face, it is an act of evil. I pity the baby, no doubt the empress will be neglecting her. But strangely enough I do not pity Yu Fei. My reason because she brought this upon herself by being much too arrogant and flamboyant before, which as the empress I too would have acted that way. Yu Fei knew the consequence of her arrogance but why did she do it in the first place? That we shall know later into this episode.

Hung Mo served Yu Fei, by picking up the sutras she copied and yet discarded. I wonder why she did that? Anyway he was very quiet and she was very quiet but she had tears rolling down her cheeks.

Next scene Onn Sin was preparing for something, she walked with determination to see the empress who was doing something which I forgot when Siu Luk Tzi stopped her. Siu Luk Tzi asked "What are you doing? You want to die with her is that it? You won't be able to reach her, you will die first!" and Onn Sin emotionally said "I am only a maid, she won't notice much" and Siu Luk Tzi stopped her and said "You will die before she will" and Onn Sin with anger said "If anyone will die first, the empress will die first before me!" and Siu Luk Tzi struggled with her and Onn Sin accidentally stabbed Siu Luk Tzi in the arm with the hairpin and Siu Luk Tzi said "See! Only a small wound! Onn Sin, don't do this!". Onn Sin in anger left and walked straight into the temple and cried "Are you a God? If you are, how can you let *** (name of that maid who died earlier on the orders of Yu Fei's maid) and how can you let my grandma die because of me? Are you blind?!" and Yu Fei walked out and cooly said "People come here for blessings, thet expect something and that is why they pray" and Onn Sin angrily said "What about you? Have you resigned to your fate? Why aren't you doing something? Why aren't you stopping the empress from doing this to you?" and Yu Fei did not quite answer her as she continued to copy the text. Yu Fei said "You're to leave the palace soon aren't you? Well, you too hate the empress? But the empress' life is not for you nor I to take, only the emperor has the right to do that. There is a way to seek revenge. You must be the most favoured concubine of the emperor who will do any of your bidding, to have him on your side and that to the empress will be worse than death itself".

And Onn Sin struck gold with that idea where she decided to seduce the emperor and become the most powerful and well loved concubine to hurt the empress.

Yu Fei was right. That will be far worse than death and Yu Fei was so arrogant because she was doing that to hurt the empress. She also realised her arrogance would have such a consequence one day which was why she quietly took the empress' insults and bidding her own time one day to rise again.

Anyway, Onn Sin then uncharacteristically went back to Yu Fei and was very nice to her, her reason being she wanted to learn from Yu Fei on what were the emperor's likes and dislikes. She said "Whatever Yu Fei is doing, it must be to please the emperor and not to please herself" and so she began to plan. Siu Luk Tzi, that evil eunuch tried to persuade her not to take this road but Onn Sin made up her mind.

However she kept bumping into Hung Mo and she tried to avoid him as he sadly walked on his way and yet at the end of her road she bumped into him again. Siu Luk Tzi has mentioned that she must be able to bump into Hung Mo and not hide because the palace may be big, but it is not big enough for them to avoid one another.

At this point Yuk Ying became the emperor's favourite concubine and felt particularly smug about it, but she treated Onn Sin like her own big sister, even offering to share her bed with Onn Sin and Onn Sin was touched. But Yuk Ying couldn't help but walk to Yee Soon's room and started to say "Oh, how different we are. I am tired because I have to serve the emperor every night whilst you're so tired because you have nothing to do..." and Yee Soon wasn't not please, in fact she looked very cool about it and Yuk Ying boasted and showed Yee Soon a golden name plague/tablet which allows Yuk Ying to walk in and out of the emperor's office/room as and when she is called for. But Yee Soon said "Serving the emperor every night dressing like an eunuch and having that plaque does not make you a winner in this battle, the one to bear the emperor a child will emerge the winner" and Yuk Ying said "Well so let's see who gets to be pregnant first!" and she walked away. Onn Sin ran along.

Pause here.

For one, Yee Soon isn't upset because frankly she doesn't love the emperor. The only time she was upset was when Bak Yeung showed more attention to Yuk Ying than herself and now she is even cool about that. Yuk Ying also said she missed Bak Yeung who had not come to see her for days and still she did not realise he was in love with her. The one thing to like about Yuk Ying in this battle for the emperor's attention is she told Onn Sin how much she genuinely liked the Emperor, how witty and humourous the emperor was. I mean she really does love the emperor in her own way and that is something I like in Yuk Ying's character.

Anyway continue on shall we?

The eunuchs were doing renovation to the temple and some dared to disturb the copies Yu Fei made and she wasn't pleased but she said nothing. She continued writing until her former eunuch kneel before her and said "My lady, I beg for your forgiveness, I have not come to visit you" and Yu Fei quietly said (so as not to draw attention) "You have no need to apologise to me. I understand your predicament" and the eunuch said "My lady, I must inform you something. The little princess is still sick after all these while" and Yu Fei was alarmed and whispered "The Emperor knows of this?" and the eunuch said "He does not know as the empress does not let him know. The empress does not care for the princess and allowed her to remain sick" and Yu Fei looked strickened but did not show much emotion. Hung Mo saw everything.

When Yu Fei was alone, she was sitting in the temple looking tired and worried. Suddenly a bird flew in and Hung Mo caught it but Yu Fei asked for the bird and she kept the bird with her as company.

Pause here.

Empress definitely evil, very despicable, a baby also could not forgive. BUT again I must repeat I don't feel sorry for Yu Fei because again I feel she brought this upon herself. What is nice though is that the writer did not go overboard with melodrama and it was very realistic to show Yu Fei keeping very quiet about this because frankly what could she have done?

The emperor useless and lusty, not a very good combination.

Anyway Siu Luk Tzi warned Onn Sin about what she was about to do and he said "What about Mistress Yuk Ying? She has treated you well and why not you depend on her to seek your revenge? She is the emperor's favourite concubine" but Onn Sin said "She is a mere Kwai Yan, I need more than that" and Siu Luk Tzi said "But she will see you as her enemy, and you will have to fight her. She will not let you do what you're going to do, can you dispose off her?" and Onn Sin quietly said "I'll explain to her, I'll make her understand, she will understand".

Next thing she wore the emperor's favourite perfume which Yu Fei always wore. Pause here. The emperor did not favour Yu Fei because she wore this perfume but Yu Fei wore this perfume to entice the emperor as it was his favoruite scent. This was Onn Sin's reasoning and she was going all out this time. Poor Hung Mo.

Anyway Yuk Ying and Yee Soon were both playing chess with the emperor when Onn Sin, dressing rather nicely with her hair nicely combed (usually her style is simple) poured tea/wine for the emperor, making sure he could smell the perfume on her wrist and of course the emperor did and he looked at her and asked "What is your name?" and Onn Sin said "Your majesty, Onn Sin" and she got his attention.

Yee Soon knew what was going on as in Onn Sin seducing the emperor and Yuk Ying could feel it. When alone Yuk Ying asked Onn Sin "Did you wear that perfume to seduce his majesty?" and Onn Sin lied and said "I got the scent from handling the *** (I think a tree), I did not try to seduce the emperor" and Yuk Ying was relieved as she did not want to believe Onn Sin could betray her.

Tomorrow, Yuk Ying will shout...no scream...no YELL at Onn Sin and Onn Sin will become Onn Kwai Yan. And one heart breaking moment with Hung Mo.

I am ready to cry.

Anyway I do have some questions that I feel this series is shying away from or you can say this series is steering towards melodrama and thus forsaking the consistency in storytelling but I could attempt to answer some of my own queries about the consistency part.

How come Eunuch Tsui did not do anything and let Yuk Ying walk straight into the emperor's embrace? He has like totally disappeared from the screen!
Simple. The writer forgot about Eunuch Tsui and frankly what could he have done short of poisoning Yuk Ying?

I thought the process for a concubine to see the emperor was wrapped in blanket, naked and all? How come Yuk Ying got special privileges?
Easy. He's the emperor, he can damn well sleep with any concubine he liked, and whether they play dress up or not. Also to create tension with the character of Yee Soon but no tension so far.

Didn't Yu Fei ordered for the death of that poor young maid early in the series (friend of Onn Sin) and even bethroed Onn Sin to that dirty old eunuch. How come Onn Sin now on such great talking terms with Yu Fei?
First of all Yu Fei did not order for that poor girl's death. Her servants did their own execution, she probably never knew about that girl. Secondly, yes, quite an inconsistency about that eunuch part but hey, maybe Onn Sin understood Yu Fei's predicament? Maybe the writer forgot about that? In any way, Onn Sin was never friends with Yu Fei. She is being nice to Yu Fei because she wants to learn the likes and dislikes of the emperor from her. But one thing I can't stand though was Onn Sin apologising to Yu Fei about disturbing her in the temple. I feel there should still be some animosity between Onn Sin and Yu Fei BUT I also realise maybe Onn Sin now has so much hatred for the Empress, all else didn't matter.

How come there are so few eunuchs and maids? How come only Hung Mo one guard walking in and out? How come no princess, gege, gong ju, ah gor or whatever?
Simple. TVB does not have enough of manpower, girlpower and horsepower.

I do not understand why Maggie Cheung did not win an award for her performance. Her Onn Sin is such a great character, I mean the part on how she ended up as the concubine is silly and weak plot but still Onn Sin is such an interesting character compared to others. She did not have an agenda but circumstances forced her to have one, circumstances which if she walked away she would not have been the respected Onn Sin. I so love this character and I lover her scenes with Hung Mo. I find the scene where she wore his shoes and smiling softly so hreat wrenching and so sad. It was such a simple and yet beautiful scene and definitely very poignant in my opinion. And when she bumped into Hung Mo again and again, there I was screaming "Aiyah! Marry him lar! Forget about revenge!" and yet I wouldn't expect otherwise because then her Onn Sin would be very inconsistent. That's Onn Sin, ever thoughtful, ever faithful, ever filial and ever burdened by her conscience on what's right and what must be done. Maggie Cheung Hor Yee gave life to this character and if you say she is not the lead, you're wrong. She is one of the lead as she has equal amount of screen time, if not more than the others. What a beautiful performance.

Gigi Lai indeed gave Yuk Ying a certain sense of innocence. She has tone down a bit tonight but still talks with "I am huhhhhhhhhhh talking to you huhhhhhhhh about this huhhhhhhhh..". If I talk like that for a minute I will get a headache. What I like about Yuk Ying is her love for her mother and her genuine feelings for the emperor. She really treats him as a husband.

Charmaine Sheh had little to do these few episodes except to look way cool and not care about anything. I find Yee Soon a rather stagnant character right now. Very little to do. But quite frankly she did best in such scenes of quiet contemplation and quiet sarcasm. I would think she should have been nominated and won for Most Improved Actress instead of Most Favourite Actress as I genuine believes she has improved tremendously but not quite there yet for best actress as she is still as inconsistent as ever.

Bowie Lam no scene today I think. Kinda miss him.

Sheren Teng was ok. I think she did well with Yu Fei, bringing the sadness in her when she could not hug her baby and could see the empress hurting the baby but again I do not like Yu Fei. I can't pity her.

Rebecca Chan was both beautiful (best costume!) and amazing in her interpretation of the evil small minded empress. The way she hurt the baby, the way she talked, very excellent performance. She should have won for the award Sheren Teng won because she was awesome.

Yu Yeung, I pity him because I don't like his emperor.

Moses Chan is not a great nor is he a good actor but he is an effective actor with charisma. He is best with Maggie Cheung and tonight highlighted some of his good moments, such as the way he stared at Onn Sin. He can play a romantic lead like those in K-dramas.

Everybody else was ok.

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

EPISODE 21

2005-11-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

This episode can be retitled "How men hurt and how the women they love hurt them" because tonight two male leads (the only 2 male leads in this series) got really hurt by the woman they love, one intentionally and the other unintentionally. Quite sad actually.

And so Yuk Ying slept with the Emperor. Very active libido this dirty old ham sup man. And poor Bak Yeung stood outside of the door listening to the giggles and all and his heart was hurt beyond words. He walked away and left the golden pouch Yuk Ying gave him on the rock and walked away.

Next day Yuk Ying went back to Onn Sin and she was so happy she cried whilst hugging Onn Sin and Onn Sin was happy for her too. Not long later Yuk Ying became Wah Kwai Yan, although I would have wished to see Yee Soon's expression when she knew Bak Yeung upped her again but alas, no such scene. Just her looking at a very happy Yuk Ying, expressionless.

Bak Yeung then went to see Yee Soon enquiring about her health and Yee Soon was quite sarcastic when she said "I do admire you, that you're able to give the woman you love to another man, how does that feel? I have always pitied you because I thought you were a fool used by Yuk Ying, that you were nothing but a foolish man but then you volunteered to give her to the Emperor and you're no fool." Bak Yeung wasn't too happy about what was said and left and Yee Soon again looked rather..ermm....well...expressionless. Can't figure her out.

Somewhere along here Bak Yeung saw Yuk Ying again and Yuk Ying was asking for his advice on what medicine to take to ensure the birth of a son. Bak Yeung was of course very hurt but he said he will make her some vitamins to take good care of her health to ensure pregnancy and Yuk Ying was very happy but Bak Yeung was gloomy.

Then we see probably the most romantic scene in this series thus far, the Winter Sonata scene. You see Hung Mo wanted to see Onn Sin to confess his love for her and to have her promise herself to him, since she was to leave the palace after the winter. So he took her out to the wide big compound filled with slippery snow. Whilst Hung Mo walked in front trying to effectively tell her that he is in love with her, she was at the back trying to stand and walk properly. When he saw her having difficulty in walking, he rushed back to her and helped her up and again off he went talking about their would be family. When he looked back, Onn Sin almost bumped into him. Onn Sin smiled and said "Oh, I am sorry. I was walking on your footsteps, it is easier that way. Brother Hung, I would like to walk in your footsteps from now on, with you to guide the way and I shall follow, and I think that is the best arrangement to this, don't you think?" and Hung Mo smiled and led the way. Effectively she heard him and she accepted his proposal, simple as that. BUT SO ROMANTIC! I was like melting inside. Reminded me of Joon Sung walking in Yoo Jin's footsteps! Ahhhhhhh...

BUT tragedy looms. Siu Luk Tzi saw the happy moment and he looked well, Wong Tak Bun's only expression in this series is serious. Anyway before this scene he was at the Empress' delivering something to her when he forgotten something and went out. Then the Empress came back thinking she was alone with her eunuch but Siu Luk Tzi was outside listening when she said she was the one who hired men to kill Onn Sin's grandma and now she wanted the men killed as well. Why she did that we will know later.

Siu Luk Tzi was in dilemma; should he tell Onn Sin since she is leaving soon? But he told her after seeing her with Hung Mo and Onn Sin couldn't believe it. She was about to react when the Empress called for her and so she went to see the Empress. With the Empress, the Empress expressed her gratitude to Onn Sin for taking care of Yuk Ying and yet implied that "I am sure Soon Kwai Yan is not too pleased with this but she has to bear with it. I am the Empress and everybody under me is of equal chances to have the attention of the emperor. Everyone wants to attract his attention but no one should take all attention, everyone should strive to show ther strengths but should not over emphasise on their individuality. I am sure Onn Sin, you would understand what I mean? Since your grandmother is dead, I would hope you will continue to stay here and take very good care of Yuk Ying".

Onn Sin ran back to Siu Luk Tzi and tearfully said "Why did you have to tell me? WHY?! I don't want to know, I would be happier not knowing!" and Siu Luk Tzi said "I did thought about not telling you, but I could not stand seeing you kow tow-ing and doing every bidding of that woman who murdered your grandma, your enemy." and Onn Sin said "Is there any difference now? I know and I still have to kow tow and do her every bidding" and Siu Luk Tzi said "It is up to you what you want to do with the information I just told you. You could forget about what I said and leave this palace after the winter and marry brother Hung and go on with your life but I know you couldn't. You can seek revenge and since you have Yuk Ying by your side, you have a chance to do so" and Onn Sin was like now that she knows, what more can she do?

Next morning she wrote Hung Mo a letter terminating their relationship, and so she chose revenge.

Pause here.

Siu Luk Tzi is very evil don't you think? I am not sure this is intentional or not but hear me out. He heard the empress' confession, then he saw Hung Mo and Onn Sin having a romantic moment walking on the snow. He knows she will be leaving soon and she will definitely marry Hung Mo. But he loves her, he can't bear to see her go and be with another man and so the only way to have her stay in the palace is for her to know the awful truth. What an awfully disgusting man if you ask me.

Hung Mo was shocked. He rushed to Onn Sin and emotionally demanded an explanation but Onn Sin brushed him aside and said whatever's in the letter, that's the reason. Hung Mo asked "Is it Yu Fei? Did she do something to you? Is it the empress? You were ok yesterday but why have you changed today? What changed?" and Onn Sin refused to look at him and Hung Mo desperately said "Is the reason me? Do you think I am not good enough of a man to take care of you? Well I can change. Just tell me, I can leave this palace, I can abandon my ambition and forsake fortune, just tell me and I will change. Tell me..." and Onn Sin simply reaffirmed her stand. Hung Mo tearfully said "Do you remember this handkerchief? It was the poem that inspired me to work hard and brought me to you. Don't you remember?" and Onn Sin looked at the pink handkerchief with poem and said "I am sorry, I didn't make this" and Hung Mo angrily said "Of you course you would deny that now!" and Onn Sin said "I really did not make that" and she walked away leaving Hung Mo devastated but she too had tears in her eyes.

Hung Mo was looking at the oink handkerchief with poem when suddenly a gush of wind blew it away onto the path of a person who picked it up and Hung Mo shouted "Give it back to me!" and she turned and she was a much subdued Yu Fei. Hung Mo quickly acknowledged her presence and Yu Fei said "So, you're the guard who saved the emperor's life? You have earned a great deed" and Hung Mo humbly denied that and Yu Fei said "With you by the emperor's side, I am glad...is this handkerchief yours?" as she eyed the handkerchief curiously with a glint in her eye and Hung Mo said "Yes" and she gave it back to him as she went on her way.

Pause here.

Yu Fei, poor woman in a way. Now so alone but I think such life is so much better than to grab and cheat and all. Anyway, like I speculated before I said the pink poem handkerchief was not by Onn Sin and she denied it tonight. Some may say she was denying it for denying sake BUT look at the way she denied it. She really looked at it and denied it and Maggie Cheung is not THAT bad an actress in portraying the right looks. When Yu Fei picked it up, there was a subtle glint of recognition in her eyes and again Sheren Teng is NOT THAT bad an actress in portraying the right looks. Why would she then say she was glad Hung Mo was taking care of the emperor when she hardly knew him? To her the handkerchief was like a fated encounter. I believe she made the handkerchief and that Onn Sin was telling the truth. If not the writer won't spend so many moments with Hung Mo almost asking Onn Sin about the handkerchief but didn't.

That morning in the medical dept, Bak Yeung found Hung Mo drunk. When Hung Mo took the hot wine from the boling water without even wincing in pain, Bak Yeung was shocked and quickly attended to Hung Mo's minor injury to his fingers. He asked Hung Mo what was wrong and Hung Mo could not say much, except his heart was hurt and he is trying to drown his sorro. Bak Yeung sadly remarked "The best way to drown your sorrows is to forget. Give her away, let her be and forget about her, that is the only way you can leave your pain behind. Even if you can't forget, you must ignore that dull pain" as if speaking of his feelings for Yuk Ying.

The Emperor then saw Bak Yeung and said thank you to Bak Yeung for giving him the best medicine making him feeling strong again, meaning Yuk Ying. Bak Yeung accepted the thanks and also informed the Emperor that Hung Mo wasn't feeling well and so he would take sick leave. The Emperor asked Bak Yeung to take good care of Hung Mo.

That night at Heung Fau's, Bak Yeung too took the hot wine bottle from the boiling water without any feeling of pain. Heung Fau quickly stopped him from hurting his fingers and Heung Fau asked "You seem distracted? Is it because of that girl in the palace?" and Bak Yeung said "No, no" and Heung Fau poured him some wine and said "If you drink too fast, you get drunk fast but in the morning the pain will return just as fast. To drown your sorrows by being drunk, you have to drink slowly, get drunk slowly, get away from the memories of her slowly and in time you will be able to dull the pain" and Bak Yeung drank to his heart's content.

That morning Bak Yeung saw Yuk Ying who was now Wah Kwai Yan, dressed very nicely and she smiled at Bak Yeung to thank him but Bak Yeung tried to distance himself.

That night as he was walking at the palace he saw a what do you call a "kiu" in English? Anyway that thing passed by and it was Yuk Ying disguised as an eunuch (to escape detection but for why I really do not know since everybody knew) and she saw Bak Yeung walking back. She said stop and she smiled at Bak Yeung and said "It will snow soon, here take this umbrella" and Bak Yeung didn't dare to look at him and said "No, I am ok, there is no need for that, I dare not accept it" but Yuk Ying good naturedly say "It is because of you I am in this position. It is just an umbrella, please take it" and Bak Yeung took it, Yuk Ying went on her way and zoom to Bak Yeung's eyes, brimming with tears. Definitely really hurt.

He went back home to Hau Shu but slept in another room. Hau Shu was very excited to see him and when Senior Suen came back, Hau Shu begged her father in law not to see Bak Yeung that night. You see everytime they see each other the father will scold the son. In the morning, Bak Yeung was sitting on the swing when Senior Suen walked out and their eyes met for the longest of time. Then Senior Suen saw his bandaged finger and he quickly said "Do you want me to look at that finger of your?" and Bak Yeung said "It's ok, I am fine" and Senior Suen said "Fine? Are you sure? If you finger is fine, what about other places?" (implying Bak Yeung's heart, I think Senior Suen knew Bak Yeung being in love with Yuk Ying) and Bak Yeung said "If you don't mind, I would like to stay here for a few days. If you could please inform the palace I am not feeling well enough to return to my duties" and Senior Suen agreed as he saw his only son looking rather depressed.

And so the entire palace knew Bak Yeung did not return to work because of his hands when in reality he hurt his ONE finger only. Fook Nga asked Yee Soon with much concern "Dr Suen has never not attend work even for one day when he was sick, he must be very sick now" and Yee Soon sighed and said "Yes, I guess you can say he is sick. Remember what I said about him? It must be very difficult for him to let go of Yuk Ying, I guess you can say this time he is very sick" and zoom to the concerned face of Fook Nga and ...

tomorrow, best quote I guess when Yu Fei told Onn Sin "the Empress' life is not for you nor I to take...only the Emperor has that right" and so Onn Sin seduces the Emperor. Poor HUNG MO! I am ready to cryyyyyyy.......

Most memorable moment is the Winter Sonata moment but the best scene had to be Bak Yeung looking like he was about to cry as Yuk Ying's "kiu" went pass him. So sad.

Weak plot but great performances tonight. Why weak plot? Why would the Empress want to kill the grandma? So as to make a brilliant maid to remain to do what? I mean why be so like counting everything with just a maid? Is she so desperate? But apart from that, tonight we discover how giving Bak Yeung is although it is killing him but he tried not to show it, how sad Hung Mo is but how willing he is to let go of everything for love (and a promising plot between him and the down and out Yu Fei) and how despicable Siu Luk Tzi is. If you really care for Onn Sin, you wouldn't have told her because now she was so happy with Hung Mo. Jealousy rears its ugly head, like what it did to Yee Soon who now have given up on Bak Yeung but she still cares a tiny bit.

I feel very sad for the men tonight.

Performance wise, Gigi Lai is ok tonight since the focus is not on her.

Charmaine Sheh did it best when she simply sat down, and deliver her lines in a cold way because any attempts to have her act will only showcase her weakness in anything dramatic or emotional. So basically she did well tonight.

Rebecca CHan best costume. Definitely.

Moses Chan was surprisingly very good in controlling his emotions as in not overact in the scene where he confronted Maggie Cheung about the breakup. It was probably his best acting moment as he begged Maggie not to leave him and to tell him why and the hurt in his eyes is very evident. He is best when he is with Maggie. Great chemistry together.

Wong Tak Bun was dull.

Yu Yeung was simply bad.

Sheren Teng not enough for me to comment.

Chan Hung Lit had one brilliant moment when he stood at the porch or whatever at his son sitting on the swing for the longest of time. Classic expression. Very good performance.

Irene Wong and the girl who played Heung Fau were also ok.

Maggie Cheung was simply the best female actress as she had to do so much in such a short space of time. Her hurt, her pain, he dilemma was all done perfectly and the way she refused to look at Hung Mo and walked away was I believe a very good acting moment as one sense that whatever she said was hurting Hung Mo but it was also hurting her. Great performance. I must note too that during the commercial break moment, there is one like title scene where there's Hung Mo facing Yu Fei with Onn Sin in the middle, her eyes looking rather vacant. What an expression because that's Onn Sin's life basically, very sad. I pity Onn Sin, she is having such a shitty life and after knowing what happened to her grandma, how could she walk away?

But best acting tonight overall had to be Bowie Lam as he tried his best to hide his hurt but his eyes deceived him time and time again as he looked at the woman he loved being given away by himself to his own master. Tonight really belong to Bowie Lam with his non expressions but his eyes full of tears that could not and should not roll down his cheeks. I am amazed and I am glad to have him back in form again and I guess now I know why he totally won that Most Popular Award. He must because this episode itself proves what a great actor he is.

Overall, an excellent episode. Plot is bad, but the performances will bowl you over.

Onn Sin is still my most favourite female character and as she walked through this perilous journey in the palace, I felt like I was walking with her. Her story is one that has a beginning, a middle and definitely an end. I feel so sad for her and I find her the best character in this series because she is nice, she is kind and yet she is forced into this situation to do something she does not want to do but had to because she knew too much. What a character.

Hung Mo is my most favourite male character because he started out very ambitious and almost ruthless but for love he was willing to let go of everything and I find him very courageous and giving. Also because I like him for liking Onn Sin. Moses Chan may not be the best actor but he brought out the gentlemanliness and the goodness of Hung Mo effectively.

I like Bak Yeung too and I am beginning to appreciate Yuk Ying because she is one single minded lady, everything she did she did it for her mother and that is a virtue even if someone should hang Gigi Lai for killing this character with her over the top acting.

Yu Fei remains as one character I can't bring myself to like, nor pity. But it would be interesting to see how the writer redeem this character to give her goodness because right now I still do not like her.

Don't miss this episode however silly the plot may be.

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

EPISODE 20

2005-11-17T20:43:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm Yee Soon really really channelled all her energy in hating Yuk Ying and unintentionally making herself look bad in front of the one person she craves and that is Bak Yeung. But I do in away sympathise with her because it's not fair! See the head count ok...

Yee Soon - Eunuch Tsui (1)
Yuk Ying - Onn Sin, Siu Luk Tzi, Bak Yeung AND Hung Mo (4)

Not fair really. But Yuk Ying is like stupid and helpless and deserved to be helped I guess. Onn Sin helps Yuk Ying because she felt a connection with Yuk Ying in their strong love for their loved ones, Siu Luk Tzi helps Yuk Ying because he loves Onn Sin, Hung Mo also same and Bak Yeung because he loves Yuk Ying. And Yee Soon hates Yuk Ying because Bak Yeung loves Yuk Ying and also Tsui asked her to get rid of Yuk Ying.

Hung Mo saved the emperor and Bak Yeung when that assassin's knife was inches away from Bak Yeung's throat who was shielding the emperor. The assassin was no assassin but TVB's great setup for the promotion of Hung Mo and Bak Yeung, a lame excuse. Well actually he was a disgruntled kitchen employee scolded by his boss and somehow he just got really mad, took a cleaver, walked ALLLLLLL the way from the kitchen straight into the Emperor's unguarded office room and started to well do what he did. Amazing right? Anyway just take it as it is and yes, Hung Mo got promoted to become a guard by the Emperor's side but will sit and wait in the Medical dept because Emperor's room is near that (a deliberate geographical necessity?) and I think but don't take my word for it, he became a 3rd ranked officer? Couldn't be since still a guard but his dress then looked very grand, so I guess maybe really 3rd ranked. Bak Yeung was appointed I think as the vice-chief of medical dept with again don't take my word for it, 6th ranked officer? Aiyahhhh very difficult to listen to that dialogue. Bak Yeung didn't look too pleased to get promoted since he planned to leave remember? And Hung Mo didn't look pleased too though that was what he wanted or maybe simply Chan Ho's inadequate acting. Anyway at the same time like to show some classy type of filming technique, Chan Song waited for Hung Mo by the bridge in cold snowy weather. Hung Mo promised to get him some money so that he can "balik kampung" literally and so Hung Mo took back the money from Bak Yeung who said he returned the money paid by Hung Mo to take care of Chan Song to him because he didn't do a good job at taking of Chan Song. Hung Mo was half a day later and by the time he reached the bridge, Chan Song was...guess guess guessssss...GONE. Yeah, who would wait half a day!

Next, Yee Soon with the emperor attending to the Tibetan Lama or monks, which I believe are the most defamed monks in Chinese TV series' history because they're weird, have cult like status and easily corrupted. Same here. Yee Soon pretended to fanit a bit and the Emperor was quite concerned and Yee Soon's maid kinda implicated that ever since Yuk Ying moved into her place Yee Soon was feeling faint and unwell. The monk then asked for her birthdate and Yuk Ying's birthdate and indeed, they were of similar year BUT had two opposite influence on one another where one must die before the other lives so to speak. The monk said there will be a great tragedy where one of them will be very hurt but once this almost tragic stuff happened, their relationship will be fine again. Emperor said "You mean one of them has to go for both to live?" and Yee Soon quickly said "Oh no, she's my sister, that will never happen, we will look see". Hung Mo heard it all as he was there to. So Hung Mo told Onn Sin who was thinking and thinking and then finally she knew.

She ran to Yuk Ying with a blanket and said to Yuk Ying "Master, we have no time. Don't ask, just do..." and Onn Sin did what she set out to do.

Meanwhile Yee Soon was walking towards that shrine when she saw Tsui and she said to Tsui "Oh Eunuch Chui, leaving? Have you finished what you set out to do?" and Tsui said "Yes my lady, I have finished and my lady, perhaps you might consider looking up" and Yee Soon smiled and walked away. Code! You will know what they were talking later...

Yee Soon was walking into the shrine with the Emperor and Hung Mo was following them. Behind a huge pillar was a man but don't know who he was. Then Onn Sin explained what was Yee Soon's plan.

The prediction was Yuk Ying has to go for Yee Soon to live. So when Yee Soon led the Emperor into the shrine, I think that big board on top bearing the motifs of a dragon and a phoenix will fall and Yee Soon will bravely puch the emperor away and save his life. With this the prediction will become real and the Emperor will become very wary of Yuk Ying and might even kick her out or kill her. At that crucial moment an eunuch ran in and said "Your majesty! Your majesty! **** is on fire!". Please replace **** with the name of Yee Soon's residence because I can't remember. The Emperor rushed back and so Yee Soon's plan gone awry.

Once there the Emperor saw a rather wet and cold Yuk Ying wrapped in a red blanket with a very ashen looking Onn Sin. Onn Sin said *** was on fire and luckily Yuk Ying escaped and at the right moment the blanket fell and the emperor saw motifs of the phoenix. The Emperor then thought Yuk Ying was the destined one to have blocked the curse that the monk was talking about. But the Emperor said "I thought it was Yee Soon who was supposed to be hurt" and Hung Mo piped in and said "The prediction said either one of them and so it could be Yuk Ying as well. Whatever it may be the prediction came through and from now on Yee Soon and Yuk Ying will live in harmony since the worst has passed as predicted" and Yee Soon wasn't pleased and said "For someone as quiet as you were you certainly had a lot to say" but the Emperor accepted Hung Mo's story and was glad Yuk Ying was ok.

Yuk Ying was very happy to have Onn Sin by her side but she was looking for that painting of her and her mother and Onn Sin said she kept it away before setting the place on fire. Opened the cupboard but alas the painting was gone! Yuk Ying immediately knew it was Yee Soon's doing and she marched right up there and said "Where is my painting?" and Yee Soon was saying "Painting? What are you talking about?" and Yuk Ying was in tears and angrily said "The painting of my mother and I. You know how important it is to me. I never knew you could be a thief! Give it back to me!" and Yee Soon said "I didn't take it. But of course you have your very smart maid by your side who planned everything. Do you (speaking to Onn Sin) really think you're so smart?" and it was almost argument point with Onn Sin asking Yuk Ying to let it go, that their rivalry has been settled by that fake prediction at last and Yuk Ying angrily walked back to her room. Bak Yeung was outside.

Bak Yeung was there to check Yee Soon's pulse and then he quietly and gently said "If Soon Kwai Yan would like to look at paintings, I have a few good ones in my house which I can bring to Soon Kwai Yan" and Yee Soon was like "Excuse me?" and Bak Yeung said "That painting is her life. Perhaps Soon Kwai Yan may consider giving it back to her?" and Yee Soon said "If it was my painting I do wonder would you have done the same for me as you're doing for Yuk Ying" and then Yee Soon said "Perhaps you have been talking too much on her behalf. You might think that I took it. You might think that I am nothing but a despicable heartless person" and Bak Yeung said "I never thought of you that way" and Yee Soon said "Well I am a despicable heartless person as they all said I am. So what if I did take it? What if I took it and burnt it? What can you do?". Bak Yeung then took his leave and Yee Soon was hurt but said nothing.

That night at Heung Fau's, Bak Yeung was drawing that painting from his memory. Heung Fau teased him that "You could draw her every gesture, every details by memory, she must be very important in your heart" and Bak Yeung was like "What? No...I am seeing her often which is why I can remember" and at the same time Hau Shu at home was looking at the painting of Bak Yeung's mom and said "This painting is so lifelike, so magnificent. Husband must have drawn every detail and gesture of mother" and Senior Suen said "Oh yes, Bak Yeung was always a good painter but he paints those who is important to him in his heart. His mother was important to him and he drew this after her death but he could remember every detail" and back to Bak Yeung and after he finished, Heung Fau teasingly hugged him with her back facing his chest and asked him "So on which part of my face do I have a birthmark?" and Bak Yeung doubted for a second and then Heung Fai said "You see me every day and yet you do not know I do not have any birthmarks on my face. That lady, Yuk Ying must be very important to you but he is the Emperor's woman..." and Bak Yeung looked sad.

Then Bak Yeung was there to see Yuk Ying and Yuk Ying gave him a golden pouch as a thank you for everything he had done and Yuk Ying found out through Siu Luk Tzi that the Emperor asked the Empress whether Yuk Ying was well or not and Onn Sin knew this meant the Emperor was asking whether he can sleep with her or not. Yuk Ying was very happy but Bak Yeung wasn't. As he stood looking gloomy he looked out and he saw Yee Soon looking at him intently. She knew he knew that she knew what he knew. He was in love with Yuk Ying. Yuk Yin of course didn't know.

Then Bak Yeung went and saw Fook Nga and whilst he was talking, he accidentally spilt wine on his clothes and he quickly got up to brush it and then he panicked, thinking he dropped the golden pouch and he searched himself for a few moments and when he saw the pouch in his pocket he was smiling again. Fook Nga smilingly said "Whoever gave this pouch to you must be very important in your heart" and Bak Yeung sadly said "I'd rather I have no strong feelings for this person. The stronger the feelings the harder I am to let go and the harder it is for me to accept the unevitable".

Then at night off Yuk Ying went wrapped in a blanket and she happily slept on his bed waiting for him.

Meanhile Chan Song found out Po Shim died (never knew he didn't know but Hung Mo didn't want to upset him) and Chan Song angrily said to Hung Mo "You promised we will get rich together and that you will never lie to me. Now I am out of the palace because you ratted on me and Po Shim stealing palace stuff and you lied to me about her death. From this moment onwards you and I are no longer brothers. I do not wish to see you ever again and if I do I'll make sure you will suffer!"

Bak Yeung was having wine alone in his office when Hung Mo passed by and Hung Mo walked in and joined Bak Yeung. Bak Yeung said "I envy you. You have at least Onn Sin, one whom you could start a family of your own with ..." and Hung Mo said "Family? My parents are dead, the only brother I know of broke all ties with me and Onn Sin said she will not decide her own future until and unless Yuk Ying's position becomes stable and that will take a long time, I can't start preparing now for my own family" and Bak Yeung said "You can start preparing for your family. The Emperor asked for Yuk Ying tonight" and Hung Mo smiled widely and said "Here! Cheers to lovers united" and Bak Yeung reluctantly drank to that toast.

Meanwhile the Emperor was having tea with the Empress when the eunuch ran in and cried "Your majesty! Soon Kwai Yan is missing! We found only her shoe by the pond!" and the Emperor panicked and said "It's cold out there, the pond has become ice! Look for her! Now!" and he went to find her and the eunuch was searching whilst Yuk Ying waited and waited. And then the Emperor was informed Yee Soon was at the temple and the Emperor went to see her and Yee Soon looking rather pitiful said "You majesty, I should be punished for making you so worried. I wanted to pray for your majesty's good health as I know how busy you were but I didn't want anyone to know. I was told for sincerity I must leave a shoe behind and I must have forgotten about it. Your majesty please punish me" and the emperor was touched and said nothing more.

Yuk Ying was then told the emperor had gone to meet the ministers as it was morning and so Yuk Ying returned to her room still a virgin. Onn Sin came running out to greet Yuk Ying thinking Yuk Ying slept with the Emperor. Yuk Ying was looking gloomy and Onn Sin knew and asked "What happened?" and Yuk Ying saw Yee Soon and she screamed (Godzilla moment) "YOU! YOU DID THIS! WHY? WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS? WHY??" and Yee Soon said "Why? Do you think by thwarting my plans you can get into the Emperor's bed? For as long as I am here, you will never get near the Emperor" and Onn Sin pulled Yuk Ying away. Once inside Yuk Ying was crying frustratingly whilst looking at her mother's potrait and she cried some more and Onn Sin could only look on.

For the next few days the Emperor never asked for Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying wondered if it was Yee Soon's doing and Onn Sin tried to calm her down but she could not eat and looking gloomy always. Bak Yeung came and he knew what happened. Yuk Ying was very sad and angry at the same time and said "What am I to do? Am I supposed to snatch the emperor to my side?" and Bak Yeung said "Snatch? Yuk Ying, perhaps you should look at another angle. The Emperor has many concubines but who can stand out? It is not snatching Yuk Ying. The Emperor is not for you to snatch but he is your husband and if you show that you genuinely care for him and love him, I am sure his majesty will know. And even if he doesn't, at least you have loved and lost before rather than those who never did loved before" and he was thinking about himself and Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying smiled (a bit prematurely but that is because of bad acting) and said "Thank you sir. You're right...thank you" and Bak Yeung felt a bit relieved that Yuk Ying is ok. And then whilst talking, he found out the Emperor was lately feeling rather unwell, very tired and Bak Yeung wondered why. He checked the Emperor's medical records and found something odd. He went to confront Yee Soon.

Yee Soon saw him coming and she knew he was coming for her though his excuse was he was on his way to see Fook Nga and so he joined Yee Soon who was on her way too. Then Bak Yeung said "Soon Kwai Yan, I have some matters to consult you. It has always been the case for concubines to fight one another for the emperor's attention with all devious methods but if you must do so, please do not gamble with the Emperor's health" and Yee Soon was like "I do not know what you're implying Dr Suen" and Bak Yeung said "I know you have been giving something to the Emperor that made him feel tired all the time. More so Eunuch Tsui is the one preparing the herbs. Please do not gamble with the Emperor's health as this rivalry is between you and Yuk Ying alone" and Yee Soon sarcastically said "You care very much for Yuk Ying to do her every bidding" and Bak Yeung said "I care for the emperor and his health. If you wish to continue what you're doing now you have my word that I will do everything in my power to stop you" and Yee Soon said "If you must...".

Bak Yeung then was with Fook Nga and he was looking worried. Fook Nga asked "Is something bothering you?" and Bak Yeung said "Suppose you know someone who is doing something she shouldn't be doing. You know the solution is to expose her but that will bring her harm and the other solution is to do nothing but that is not right. What would you have done?" and Fook Nga thoughtfully said "For the fact that you said it will bring her harm meant this person is a good person in your eyes. Other than these 2 methods, there must be a 3rd method, a 3rd solution" and Bak Yeung was thinking hard and then he knew...

He met with the Emperor the next day I think and he was advising the Emperor, "Your majesty, you have been feeling very tired lately physically and I believe this too is because of an emotional issue" and the Emperor said "I am feeling very tired and unwell. Is something wrong with the medicine?" and Bak Yeung said "Oh no, you can continue to take the medicine but I know just the right medicine for your emotional issue" and the Emperor said "The right medicine?" and Bak Yeung pointed towards an eunuch and lo and behold, the eunuch took the hat off and it was Yuk Ying disguised as an eunuch and sweetly said "Your majesty" and .. the end.

Next 5 episodes, we see Yuk Ying sleeping with the Emperor and Yee Soon said to Bak Yeung "How does it feel to give the woman you love to another man?" and then we have Onn Sin saying "If I were to die first I will ensure the empress will die before me!" and she seduced the emperor, slept with him and Yuk Ying screaming "How could you! I thought you were my friend! How can you betray me!" and then Yee Soon said "Onn Kwai Yan I have something to discuss with you" and Yu Fei said "It is not for you nor I to dispose off the Empress" to Onn Sin and Yuk Ying screaming at Onn Sin and said "Onn Kwai Yan, IF YOU DO HARM TO SUEN BAK YEUNG I SWEAR!!! I SWEAR YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A PEACEFUL DAY EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and so the end of preview.

Ohhhhhhh so exciting for Yu Yeung the man who can boast I have slept with them all!! I don't like Onn Sin becoming a concubine anymore as opposed to what I said many episodes before. Too crowded already and too melodramatic. Anyway I will wait for that moment to come to comment fully on that.

Plot wise today is like Yee Soon VS Yuk Ying helped by Onn Sin and gang. I really dislike Yee Soon tonight because she simply tried much too hard to be so mean and bitchy to Yuk Ying and she knew she was bitchy because everytime Bak Yeung looked at her in a very "How could you?" way she looked pained, hurt, whatever. So why persist so openly? Her rivalry with Yuk Ying is like an open book.

Yuk Ying is thus far becoming a different type of character. She is not that mean a person, not that smart and frankly not as cunning as Yee Soon. Onn Sin has settled nicely as the smartest one thus far.

Oh no Yu Fei for 2 days already I think. Don't miss her.

Anyway where was I? This episode is like cat and mouse game. Interesting but very little substance. It's more about bitching with one another. The substance came from moments of observations by other characters, like Heung Fau teasing Bak Yeung. I think that will be my most memorable scene tonight, the one where Heung Fau asked Bak Yeung to guess on which side of her face was her birthmark. The character Bak Yeung is growing as a character so to speak.

Not much comment on the plot tonight.

Performances wise, special mention must be made to Charmaine Sheh for looking rather "I don't care" type of expression but really she just look like a woman scorned in a very nice way. I feel she should have been more cruel looking when she is with Yuk Ying but she looked rather like smart aleck only. Must have more ommpphhh to the expression. But anyway she was ok. Nothing too taxing on her tonight.

Gigi Lai did one scene very well and that was looking at the potrait and crying. The rest she was like acting. Really! She acts like she is acting. Definitely no surprises.

Maggie ok. Not much to say.

Moses' best scenes are with Maggie and Bowie but when alone his performance is rather weak. Very tired to repeat the same thing.

For a moment I thought Bowie was back to reciting lines again but a scene he did very well was that one when he looked very sad when Yuk Ying found out the Emperor asked whether she was well enough to sleep with him. That expression was just right. In the end a good performance. I thought yesterday he was better.

Just to clarify a few questions;

1. Yee Soon definitely took the painting and what she did with it? Dunno.
2. Yuk Ying never knew Bak Yeung drew that painting for her.
3. Yuk Ying still does not realise Bak Yeung loves her.
4. Heung Fau is Bak Yeung's lover.

Frankly I have not much comments for this episode. Because I wrote this in a very tired state.

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

EPISODE 19

2005-11-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

Nothing like when a woman is scorned. Today we have 2 women and we see different but in a way similar reaction when these women felt angry, threatened, jealous. Tonight is the night of angry women in the form of Yee Soon and the Empress. Quite a fantastic episode and also quite badly acted if you ask me. First the recap...

Siu Luk Tzi was combing the Empress' hair and well it looked big and heavy but radical and she liked it. The Empress asked Siu Luk Tzi to comb her Yuk Ying's style but Siu Luk Tzi quickly apologised and said even if he could he wouldn't and the Empress' servant was offended for her master and demanded an answer and Siu Luk Tzi said "Yuk Ying's hairstyle may be elaborate but it would not suit my lady because my lady is already the Empress and the phoenix and my lady does not need such elaborate hairstyle to show your privileged status" and the Empress smiled and asked "You're but a servant. I am sure you did not say that on your own. Who taught you to say these words?" and Siu Luk Tzi said "It was Yuk Ying. She was very touched by my lady's caring attention to her last night and she expressed these words to me and I have witnessed today what she said was true, my lady is truly giving and generous" and the Empress was very very very pleased.

And guess who taught him to say that? Onn Sin.

Yu Fei meanwhile was having a hard time. Yu Fei tried to win back her position in the Emperor's heart by asking the nanny of her daughter for a favour (she bribed the nanny) and the nanny agree.

Once when Siu Luk Tzi was combing her hair, Siu Luk Tzi told the Empress that Yuk Ying was still considered sick and what a pity it was so and the Empress being very pleased with her hair which she said complimented by the Emperor that when Senior Suen came by she ordered Senior Suen to de-sick Yuk Ying. And then the same nanny came to see the Empress and the Empress told everybody to leave. Siu Luk Tzi quickly ran to Onn Sin and told her what he saw and Onn Sin was trying to piece the fact of nanny seeing the Empress, Yu Fei's baby, and the emperor's birthday coming soon and suddenly Onn Sin realised something.

Anyway Yuk Ying was declared unsick and she was introduced to the Emperor by the Empress on his birthday and Yuk Ying put on her best behaviour and the Emperor was very pleased to see her. Then the baby of Yu Fei was brought in and was crying. The Emperor held her and yet she continued to cry. Yu Fei suddenly asked to see the Emperor bearing some desert for him but the Emperor was not pleased to see her. The Empress weirdly let Yu Fei in. Whilst Yu Fei wished the emperor, Yuk Ying was brave enough to criticise Yu Fei for angering the emperor by showing her face. Yu Fei calmed herself and reminded Yuk Ying she was but a mere Tap Ying but Yuk Ying quietly said Yu Fei was the cause of the Emperor's concern and she should not have showed her face. The Emperor was very angry and told them to shut up. The Empress looked curiously at Yuk Ying and said nothing. And then the Empress even allowed Yu Fei to hold the baby and feed the baby with the desert she just brought in. When the baby suddenly stopped crying, Yu Fei handed the baby back to the nanny she said "I am the child's mother, of course she would stop crying if I were to feed her" and then she begged to leave but the Emperor's heart softened and said "If you leave now and when the baby awakes and cries, who will be there to stop her crying?" and Yu Fei smiled happily as the Emperor asked her to follow him to the hall. Yu Fei glared at Yuk Ying and walked on. The Empress curiously was very quiet. The suddenly the nanny cried out and said the baby's skin seemed to be red and forming rashes. The Emperor had a quick look and quickly said "Yu Fei! Someone, check the desert" and Yu Fei was speechless and when the eunuch who tasted the desert said it was laced with alcohol, the Emperor flew into a rage and screamed "You despicable cruel woman! You could go so low, you could bear to intoxicate your daughter so as to get back my attention!" and Yu Fei tried to explain but the Emperor said "No! You leave! You leave now and I never want to see you again! Leave!!" and Yuk Ying was smiling as a teary eyed Yu Fei left.

Then Yuk Ying saw Onn Sin and told her what happened and said she did what Onn Sin told her to do, to criticise Yu Fei in front of the Empress and Onn Sin said "I have a good reason to ask you to do that. Being an empress doesn't mean she can criticise Yu Fei as freely as she would like. By you criticising Yu Fei and drawing a clear line between yourself and Yu Fei, you have brought yourself into the Empress' circle and now the Empress can truly trust you. After all you said those things to Yu Fei which she herself wanted to say but could not". Yuk Ying was saying aloud how despicable Yu Fei and for a moment she feared Yu Fei was back in the Emperor's favour when the baby stopped crying and Onn Sin smiled and said "Of course that will never happen. Do you think the Empress will allow her to do so? She met with the nanny, I believe the nanny took bribes from both side and so the Empress already knew what Yu Fei planned to do. The Empress is a cunning one" and Yuk Ying thanked Onn Sin and promised her she will always listen to Onn Sin's advice. Interesting. What will happen when Onn Sin becomes a concubine? Will Yuk Ying see her as an enemy? Anyway Yuk Ying asked "What should I do next?" and suddenly it was snowing and Onn Sin smiled and said "What you must do next is to make yourself some coats, it is winter!". Yuk Ying smiled happily.

Pause here. It is nice to see a happier Yuk Ying and it is nice to see a genuine trusting relationship between Onn Sin and Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying may seem smart at first but actually she has no one to help her and aid her in the palace and she is all alone and so she is not really that smart. With Onn Sin by her side, Yuk Ying can be more cautious from now on and I like the development of her character. But I may shoot myself in my mouth when later they become enemies.

Meanwhile Yu Fei was very quiet. Her servant was very concerned that it was very cold and she was sitting by the window and she was not warm enough. Yu Fei did not say anything and then she heard someone said "My dear sister, are you not coming to greet me? Even now, your favourite Yee Soon has yet to come and visit you after being made Kwai Yan. If you continue this way, not even I would come to visit you any more". It was a very grandly clad Empress and Yu Fei walked to her and Yu Fei said "I have lost once today but I can only blame the Heaven for that" and the Empress sniggered and said "You blame the heaven? For someone who doesn't believe in spirits and ghosts, you're suddenly very superstitious. Does it have anything to do with the fact you are now no longer important my sister?" and Yu Fei glared at her and the Empress smilingly said "I would like to inform you, your mistake today was not an accident. Have you forgotten that I too am able to know your plans? That nanny you bribed, she is the nanny I personally found for your daughter" and Yu Fei was very angry and looked at the Empress and said "You! You despicable woman!" and the Empress said "Not nearly as despicable as you my sister after all only you could think of intoxicating your daughter to win back his majesty's heart" and Yu Fei could say nothing to that because it was true. She was despicable. And the Empress said "So how does it feel to lose? I have been losing to you for so many years, winning just this once is such a pleasurable experience for me. But my dear sister, you must get used to this feeling of losing because you will have many more years of losing. Just to inform you, his majesty as ordered that you shall never be allowed to go near the princess" and Yu Fei looked shocked and the Empress said "Oh don't worry. That little princess is so cute, since she does not have a mother now I will be her mother. Don't worry, I will take very good care of her and educate her in your place so that she will know that she doesn't have her mother with her and that I am her mother, don't you worry" and Yu Fei was speechless and the Empress ended it all by triumphantly saying "I have had it with you taking my place for so many years and I would like to remind you who is the Empress here. My dear sister, I want you to feel how is it like to lose your power" and the Empress left a very frustrated looking Yu Fei.

Pause here.

Yu Fei doesn't seem to care about her daughter. Like I said before, indeed the daughter was taken care by the Empress herself and Yu Fei doesn't seem concerned about that. She was ruthless enough to use that alcohol trick and in a way Yu Fei can only blame the downfall on herself as she was the one who micalculated her moves, so to speak. Don't really pity her. Anyway this scene has my vote as the most exciting moment in this episode but there is one that I will vote as most memorable, later on.

Forgot to mention this. Yuk Ying was about to leave her prison so to speak and Bak Yeung came by for a visit and Yuk Ying thanked Bak Yeung and gave him a personally sewed hand thingy I think. Can't remember and Bak Yeung was touched and said he could never use it and will value it and Yuk Ying expressed a wish to continue her friendship with Bak Yeung and wished for a day where they can walk and chat together. I doubt Yuk Ying realise Bak Yeung was in love with her since her mind is still on gaining the emperor's attention.

Ealier we see Yee Soon being made a Kwai Yan and goes with the title Soon Kwai Yan and so her dress also upgraded a bit. Then she was sitting with the Empress and Yuk Ying came by and quite pretentiously smilingly greeted Yee Soon who quite pretentiously smiled back. Yuk Ying thanks the empress for letting her go back to her old place but the Empress expressed her concern that her old place is too common and everybody can walk in and out and so not good for her recuperation. Yuk Ying smiled and said it was ok but she asked the Empress to allow her one servant and she wished for Onn Sin to serve her and the Empress allowed her request. And suddenly Yee Soon said "My lady, my sister and I went way back and I would love to have her move into my place, after all I am all alone there and we can take care of one another" and Yuk Ying was surprised but said "Oh I can't move into Soon Kwai Yan's place, I am a mere Tap Ying" but Yee Soon insisted and the Empress allowed her request.

And so Yuk Ying moved into Yee Soon's compund and Onn Sin was helping her organise everything when Yee Soon came and smilingly greeted her. Yuk Ying ordered everybody out except for Onn Sin and Yee Soon looked at her own maid and said "Whilst my sister may just be a lowly Tap Ying I am afraid her words are still an order" and they left and then Yuk Ying said "Fine. What do you want?" and Yee Soon smiled and said "What do I want? I wanted to visit you my sister after all I am very free here" and Yuk Ying said "Free? Why are you doing this? Haven't you seen enough of me being downgraded like this? What else do you want?" and Onn Sin quickly said "My master doesn't mean any ill will my lady" and Yee Soon smiled and said "Well well well...Onn Sin, I have once asked you to serve me repeatedly but you have refused each time and now you're serving my sister..." and to Yuk Ying she said "Like I said, I am very free. Therefore I can come by anytime since we live so close to one another and I plan to visit you so very often to play you..." and Yee Soon smiled that scary smile and made Yuk Ying quite chilly.

Then when Yee Soon left, Onn Sin was very worried and said "If I know what she was thinking I wouldn't be afraid as she has a plan that I can figure out. But Yee Soon, I can't figure her out and I can't figure what are her plans...".

Well like Yee Soon said she basically want to "wan chan" Yuk Ying. And so she did!

Onn Sin was so worried she ran to Bak Yeung and said to Bak Yeung "Sir, you must help Yuk Ying. Yee Soon is now uncontrollable and she is doing everything to harm Yuk Ying" but Bak Yeung said "What could I have done? I myself am not in the position to do anything" and Onn Sin said "But you saved Yee Soon's life once, she will remember the fact that you hid in her room that time, she will listen to your advice" but Bak Yeung refused to help.

Next we see Hung Mo being very jealous of Bak Yeung as he saw Onn Sin talking to him. Hung Mo gave Bak Yeung money to help Chan Song but Bak Yeung said "I can't do anything for him. Everytime he is beaten, I treat his wounds and then he goes back out to ganble and get beaten again and I treat his wounds again and he goes out again. Can't you talk to him?" and Hung Mo said "You promised to take care of him, just do that".

I wonder why Hung Mo held Bak Yeung to his promise? After all Chan Song is his problem, not Bak Yeung's problem. Anyway very exciting scene next.

Yee Soon adopted the style of the Empress by bringing food and wine to Yuk Ying and insisted Yuk Ying eat and drink. She said it was from the emperor. Yuk Ying was scared since it could be poison. Onn Sin then gently said "My master just recovered, she is not a very good drinker, maybe I can drink on her behalf" and Yee Soon quickly brushed Onn Sin's hand away in a hard way and screamed at Onn Sin "Who do you think you are? You're just a servant. Even if you could stop me from poisoining her just this once, you can't stop me each and every time" and Onn Sin rebutted "You've just become Kwai Yan. You're becoming too arrogant for your own good, why don't you adopt a more elegant Kwai Yan attitude and be more open minded about my master?" and Yee Soon was so angry I think she was about to I think slap Onn Sin, I can't remember but the argument was getting very heated when Bak Yeung suddenly came. Yee Soon was shocked to have him see her that way and Yee Soon said "What are you doing here? Is there someone who needed her pulse taken?" and Bak Yeung smiled and said "I was just sending medicine here which is my duty now..oh, Yuk Ying is still not well, she can't take heaty stuff and so you must excuse her for not eating or drinking your food" and Onn Sin smiled and said "Yes yes, Doctor Suen, I will make sure my master is rested well and does not take such foods" and Yee Soon said "How dare you! Do you know who you are talking to? How dare you!" and Bak Yeung looked her squarely in the eyes and said something along the line of "To have acted the way you did after gaining favours from the Emperor is not good. Such an arrogant attitude will not be well accepted. Perhaps Soon Kwai Yan may consider being more open minded and let it be this time". Something like that. Yee Soon could do nothing more and Yuk Ying quickly got up. When Yee Soon left Yuk Ying thanked Bak Yeung and Bak Yeung said it was nothing much and what he said applied to Yee Soon as much as to himself. In a way he was saying he too was very arrogant when he gained the favours of Yu Fei and now he was at the bottom he knew how it felt.

But Yee Soon would not rest. In fact she became unreasonably vindictive.

Onn Sin found out that Yuk Ying was invited by the emperor to watch the theatre at the big theatre hall but the thing is the Emperor is out of the palace. Onn Sin immediately knew Yuk Ying was tricked and in danger she ran to Bak Yeung and dragged him with her. Hung Mo saw Onn Sin holding Bak Yeung's hands and running and was very jealous.

Then we see Yuk Ying nicely dressed and was hoping to see the Emperor but no one was there. She went to the 2nd floor and saw Yee Soon. Yee Soon smiled in a rather evil way and said "The emperor won't be coming" and Yuk Ying was very scared and said "You do realise passing a false edict of the emperor is punishable by death if I were to tell on you. Jusg because you're a Kwai Yan doesn't mean you are most powerful and do whatever you like" and Yee Soon quickly move to Yuk Ying and grabbed her coat and hung her over the ledge in a dangerous way and Yuk Ying was gasping with fear and Yee Soon said "We women fight amongst ourselves is very common but to have you to drag and outsider like Suen Bak Yeung is despicable. Whatever out fights may be it is between us and has nothing to do with Suen Bak Yeung. You leave him out of this do you understand?" and Yuk Ying was confused and said "What?" as she didn't understand what Yee Soon was saying. Pause here.

Yee Soon was actually saying don't drag Bak Yeung into their messy fight and I think this is her way of protecting Bak Yeung from being messed up and also she was jealous that Bak Yeung would run her Yuk Ying's rescue. I understand her good intentions but the way she did it was wrong of course. For Yuk Ying she didn't understand because she didn't realise Bak Yeung loved her I guess and it wasn't her who asked Bak Yeung for help but Onn Sin so in her mind she wasn't dragging Bak Yeung into the picture but Bak Yeung came voluntarily as a friend. If you ask me, the more Yee Soon torture Yuk Ying, the more dragged into the mess would Bak Yeung be. Poor Yuk Ying. Yee Soon is now like the empress you know, only the more irrational jealous angry blinded one.

Anyway Yuk Ying was hung half way out of the wooden ledge or whatever and then Bak Yeung came and Yee Soon saw him and she froze in that position and probably thinking "Shit! This is the 2nd time he sees me this ugly!" Anyway Yuk Ying tearfully ran down the stairs and Bak Yeung ran straight towards the stairs and Yuk Ying threw herself at Bak Yeung and hugged him tightly whilst he hugged her tightly back, relieved that she was alright. Meanwhile Yee Soon was running down the stairs too and almost tripped but Bak Yeung didn't notice her, in his mind it was only Yuk Ying and Yee Soon was once again teary eyed and heart broken. This scene is most memorable for me tonight.

Their fights must have gotten around the palace because Fook Nga visited Yee Soon and said to Yee Soon " I haven't visited you quite some time. You shouldn't have done that to Yuk Ying" and Yee Soon gently said "She was dragging him into the picture, it is between us only" but Fook Nga said "You have just become Kwai Yan and to do what you did , it was not good for you. The palace is a place for fighting for attention but if you continue this way, people may see you as arrogant and in the end you will end up like Yu Fei" and Yee Soon asked "Even dear sister disagree with what I did?" and Fook Nga said "Is he worth all that? There is no point to hold on to him Yee Soon. Your heart may be at his direction but his heart is not. You're now a concubine, and to put such love in your heart will only hurt you, more so you're giving your heart to man who does not love you. Yee Soon, let go of this love, stop this..." and Yee Soon thought about it.

I bet she couldn't because there must be more torture scenes. I am just beginning to enjoy this! I kinda understood why Bak Yeung fell for Yuk Ying and not Yee Soon. For one, he owed Yuk Ying when he burn her stuff and dragged her into isolation, he could freely talk to Yuk Ying without much care or fear, he sees Yuk Ying all the time and to him Yuk Ying is like a soft poor lamb that needs protection. Yee Soon is more calculative, more conniving whilst Yuk Ying is like an open book. Perfectly understandable why he chose Yuk Ying. Yee Soon meanwhile has successfully deducted her own points in Bak Yeung's heart and like Fook Nga said "For what you would do that?" and true enough, for what indeed. I don't pity Yee Soon. I thought she had class but today she acted beyond the call for revenge. She should learn from the Empress, mean but not seen as mean. After all she is just a Kwai Yan.

Meanwhile Chan Song got beaten again and Hung Mo asked why he is not staying at the place arranged by Bak Yeung since he paid Bak Yeung but Chan Song said "Him taking care of me? He hasn't come to see me for a few days now, and without money I got kicked out but don't blame others for what you should have done yourself" and Hung Mo was very angry.

Why blame Bak Yeung? Not his fault what! Hung Mo can be so blinded.

Anyway, next we see Hung Mo talking to Bak Yeung in the palace accusing him of having feelings for Onn Sin and neglecting Chan Song eventhough he promised to take care of him and Bak Yeung was very offended and then the Emperor returned and they walked to the other end to continue their discussion and Bak Yeung said "I shall refuse to answer your allegations. She approached me to help Yuk Ying and because I was busy with Yuk Ying I could not visit Chan Song. I will visit him soon. You're only insulting Miss Onn Sin with that accusation of yours" when suddenly Bak Yeung noticed a strange man hiding a cleaver under his dress and he quickly said "The emperor!".

Indeed security is so bad the guy can just walk in and start attacking the Emperor. The eunuch was knocked down and fainted and the emperor was very scared when Bak Yeung came and stood before the emperor as Hung Mo stopped the attacker. But the attacker managed to get away from Hung Mo's grip and headed straight at the emperor with the cleaver when Bak Yeung stood in front of the emperor and.....

tomorrow, did Bak Yeung died? Like as if! But we now know how Hung Mo got promoted and Bak Yeung regained his power I guess. Anyway, tomorrow, Yee Soon will wreck more havoc in Yuk Ying's life and she is becoming annoying.

Story wise, interesting plot except for some loose ends like how that guy can walk into the emperor's room and attacked him? Such a big palace so many maids but so few guards? Always only Hung Mo running around. And why make Yee Soon like that? When I began to like her she became a total bitch which make me pity Godzilla. Anyway Godzilla not so godzilla tonight.

Bak Yeung is really fleshing out as a character and he truly loved Yuk Ying as he ran to her rescue, TWICE tonight. Very romantic. Hung Mo is jealous only, quite boring. Onn Sin has become Zhuge Liang to Yuk Ying's Lau Bei and aptly so since Lau Bei wasn't famous for his brains. I like Onn Sin's development and now I find it very interesting as she stood up to Yee Soon on behalf of Yuk Ying. She truly cared for Yuk Ying.

Tonight was the downfall of Yu Fei but not that dramatic. I enjoyed the Empress' taunting of Yu Fei. Anyway I was quite surprised to see Yuk Ying criticising Yu Fei but then Onn Sin explained why but still very dangerous game to play since the emperor was there.

Performance wise, the worst first.

Moses Chan. Horrible performance tonight.

Yu Yeung second worst.

Bowie Lam was great and I love his chemistry with Gigi Lai as he ran to hug her tightly. I also like the way his character is humbled a bit.

Wong Tak Bun looked like he is suffering from permanent paralyzed cheeks. This man can't smile even if you tickle him. Ok performance.

Rebecca Chan was gorgeous tonight and should be the case since she is the empress. Her performance was one of subtlety and I absolutely enjoyed her many facial expressions, like surprised, happy, contented, scheming, etc. Her encounter with Yu Fei was explosive and she totally played that moment to perfection. She was as devious as pretentious and yet I like watching this empress. From what she said I too would have done what she did to Yu Fei, irrespective of how much she may have bullied Yu Fei many years before after all Yu Fei was plain rude earlier on. Excellent performance but I don't like that big hairstyle by Siu Luk Tzi. Very clumsy looking. I like those trinklets on her forehead.

Sheren Teng I pity her. Now finally her Yu Fei is moving forward apart from looking worried or looking mean. Whilst everybody liked Yu Fei and was intrigued by her, her downfall was a welcoming sight for me because I do not like Yu Fei. I find her too arrogant. Anyway she dug her own grave tonight. As for performance wise, Sheren Teng is of course better than most young ones but far far away from Rebecca Chan. I do not know why but I don't think Sheren was that great thus far. Like tonight in that encounter with the Empress, of course she looked exasperated but in a very anal way like very painful to watch her. Sheren was never good with angry or crying scenes because her face got contorted. I find her expressions limited and her interpretation of Yu Fei lacking. I am now convinced Florence Kwok would have a great time with this character. But that being said, Sheren is alright but for all the praises, I expected great but only got ok-lar.

Gigi Lai was ok tonight, no godzilla moments but this woman is taking her acting like in a WYSIWYG way. I mean she was so fake before Yee Soon and indeed her Yuk Ying was pretending to be friendly with Yee Soon but must she make it sooooooo obvious? It's like no one is controlling her acting. She should learn from Rebecca Chan.

Maggie Cheung, wonderful. Right expressions, right determination type of stare, especially like her scene with Charmaine and challenging of Charmaine. One scene alone and you will know amongst the 3 who is the best actress.

Charmaine Sheh is a bit tricky. Can't say she is bad. She is good in those quiet reflective moments, like towards the end with a very elegant Jade Leung, thatw as well done. But when she was torturing and bullying Yuk Ying, she was not very good. Her weakness could be seen, she is not genuinely angry or deceptive enough. Like my way of encouraging to act out that anger in one of my episodic thoughts, why not "Charmaine..you're nominated again this year but everybody says you won't win..again the bridesmaid but never the bride. How do you feel? Seething with anger? But muted anger since can't show too much? That glare! The one you may have for Maggie Cheung...Shirley Yeung...yessssss....YES THAT's THE WAY TO GO!". Ahhhhh she didn't have enough of fire in her eyes. Even when she threatened, I wouldn't take her seriously if I were Yuk Ying because Charmaine was so soft in her approach, the way she delivered her lines. Cold yes, steely glare yes, but mean and scary? Nope. Again must learn from Rebecca Chan. But her best scene is that dejected look as Bowie hugged Gigi.

To me the two women who shone in this series that is Maggie for the younger generation and Rebecca Chan for the older generation. I am very impressed with these two.

For the men, who else but Bowie?

The rest are at best mediocre or more accurately, they have their moments but too few. A better casting decision may result in the same mediocrity but at least consistent mediocrity?

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

EPISODE 18

2005-11-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

This episode highlights the beginning of the fall of Bak Yeung, Yu Fei, the true colours of the Empress and the brilliance of Onn Sin. For fans of Onn Sin, this is a must watch episode though she appears towards the end.

I missed Episode 17, so when this episode started, Yee Soon found Po Shim drowned in the pond. She was shaken and screamed for help.

A pause here. I was informed by my mother that yesterday...

1. Po Shim was stealing stuff when she accidentally left behind the Buddha Jade Chan Song gave her and at that time Yu Fei was bathing. Rumours had it that some monk was in Yu Fei's room, thus this damaged Yu Fei's reputation.

2. Po Shim was coerced by the Empress to tell that exact lie but I wasn't sure if she did or not. But I think she didn't as Yu Fei took her back, really beat her up and starved her.

3. Eunuch Tsui told Yee Soon to take food to Po Shim and poison her, so to make Yu Fei look really bad. Yee Soon couldn't do it, instead she agreed to help Po Shim to run away from the palace.

4. So she was supposed to meet with Po Shim by the pond to give her some money to run away but well, as this episode started, Po Shim was mysteriously killed. Question is of course who killed her (I bet the Empress asked her men to do it to make Yu Fei look bad so that the rumour of her being with a man can be true since Yu Fei would have reasons to kill her) but the real question is why kill off Po Shim the character? Such a waste. I thought Po Shim could aid Hung Mo who will aid Onn Sin to rise in the ranks since Po Shim knows so many things, she simply knows stuff. She would be a valuable spy. Unfortunately the writer could not see beyond women fighting women and in revealing the ultimate evil person, the Empress which is starting to become very stale and boring. I am like half expecting when is the Empress gonna really do the bad deed to everyone, when when when?!?!

5. One question I can't answer. What happened between Chan Song and Hung Mo in episode 17 that Chan Song hated Hung Mo so much?

So continue with tonight's episode.

The Empress was very worried about Yee Soon, Yu Fei quickly came around only to find the Empress there. They were arguing who can take care of Yee Soon and probably Yu Fei si afraid the empress may yield some power over Yee Soon. Then the emperor arrived and th emperor questioned Yu Fei what happened and Yu Fei said Po Shim killed herself over the smuggling of goods out of the palace incident. The Emperor looked pleased with the answer but wasn't pleased with the many controversies in the palace. The Empress quickly suggested that the emperor allow Yee Soon to move into the I think Emperor's quarters and Yu Fei questioned why and the empress said the powers of the mighty dragon will heal Yee Soon sooner.

Later alone with the emperor, the empress apologised for the suggestion since no concubine of Yee Soon's status were allowed into that special chambers. The Emperor was not angry. And then the empress poked Yu Fei's back by saying she had tried to question Po Shim several times but stopped by Yu Fei. Yu Fei must have something to hide. The emperor became suspiscious.

The Emperor then went to see Yee Soon and Yee Soon herself kinda suggested that Po Shim could not have killed herself and that Po Shim was severely punished by Yu Fei over the stolen goods incident. The Emperor then asked Yee Soon "Do you think Yu Fei was lying?" and Yee Soon said "I can't answer that..." and the Emperor said "Of course, you're in no position to understand that".

The Emperor then went to see Yu Fei, asked everybody out and he said "Yu Fei, you know how important you're in my heart. That is why you can be honest with me" and Yu Fei looked offended and said "Be honest to your majesty? Is your majesty saying I lied to you?" and the Emperor said "Po Shim was just a mere servant. She is dead and there is nothing I can do about it. So if you could just be honest, I will forget what had happened and nothing will change" but Yu Fei protested her innocence and said "She killed herself! I did not lie. And if your majesty is not happy with my explanation, whatever I say will not matter. If so please then punish me instead" and the Emperor raised his voice and said "I am not saying I will punish you! I was just asking for the truth" and Yu Fei was in an argumentative mood and kept protesting her innocence and the Emperor became very fed up and said "I feel perhaps Yu Yuet yourself has been too burdened with your duties. Do not worry, I will promote Yee Soon to Kwai Yan and you can then rest" and he walked away and Yu Fei was exasperated and felt like the Emperor was slowly slipping away from her hands.

Next scene Yee Soon met with Eunuch Tsui and Eunuch Tsui had earlier taught her to suggest Yu Fei's involvement in Po Shim's death. Yee Soon then asked Tsui "Who killed Po Shim?" and Tsui said "Whoever killed her did us a huge favour. That person is the one who insisted you move here" and Yee Soon said "The Empress? Should we now worry about the Empress?" and Tsui said "She is not our worry just yet. Let her be Yu Fei's worries first" and Yee Soon silently obeyed Tsui's instruction.

But the Emperor could not forget about Yu Fei when Yu Fei asked someone to send over a gift specially made for the Emperor. Yee Soon was there. The Empress quickly said "Your majesty, should I order the servant to get ready with the transport?" and the Emperor said "What?" and the Empress said "I know your majesty is merely human, I can understand that but your majesty, you have decided to punish dear sister and your majesty is the Emperor, the ruler whose orders must be obeyed. If your majesty go to her now, imagine what would your subjects think of you..." and the Emperor reluctantly agreed and told the eunuch to return the gift to Yu Fei.

Yu Fei was shocked to see the return of the gift. When the eunuch (the empress' eunuch) said it was ordered that he can take a few of Yu Fei's servants to help out with some preparation of some celebration, Yu Fei angrily said "On whose order who dares to take my servants away?" and the eunuch said "The Emperor himself" and Yu Fei said "You're saying his majesty or are you saying the Empress?" and the eunuch arrogantly and curtly replied "Does it matter Yu Fei? As long as it is not your orders and you're in no position to give orders anymore." Yu Fei stared at him and the eunuch said "I apologise for the inappropriate remark my lady. I have to take my leave...". Yu Fei was boiling inside.

Bak Yeung meanwhile was called together with another senior doctor to diagnose Yee Soon. Bak Yeung was of the opinion Yee Soon was ok already, her illness under control and she was getting better. But the senior doctor disagreed and said Yee Soon was still not well. The Empress was very angry with two differing views whilst Suen Senior said nothing. Yee Soon quickly stood up and said "Dr Suen Bak Yeung has always taken good care of me, I am sure his disagnosis is accurate" but the Empress wasn't listening.

When the Empress was alone with Suen Senior, she revealed why she wasn't pleased with Bak Yeung's diagnosis. She implied it doesn't matter what was the diagnosis, she was more concerned in whose loyalty does the two doctors who gave the diagnosis lie. Senior Suen was unable to comment on that as the Empress asked for his opinion and he said nothing and the Empress curtly said "Dr Suen, please do not be a hypocrite in front of me".

Suen Senior then went home and Bak Yeung was hiding in the corner as he looked at Hau Shu sitting alone waiting for Senior Suen to come home. When he did, Hau Shu quickly walked to Senior Suen and Senior Suen knew what she was thinking and said loudly "You're waiting for my news on Bak Yeung is it not?" My son does not know how lucky he is to have you as his wife, you have shown much concern for him" and Bak Yeung heard that he felt a bit guilty for treating his wife like shit. When he emerged, Hau Shu quickly greeted him happily.

Once alone with Bak Yeung, Senior Suen was very angry. Bak Yeung asked "Why you didn't concur with my diagnosis? You know that other doctor is a fluke, he doesn't even know medicine, he is a fake doctor!" Senior Suen said "At first I thought so too but after today I realise you're the fluke doctor!" and Bak Yeung was confused and Senior Suen angrily explained "I do not know how much more I can protect you. I may have transferred you but I do not know how effective that will be. Bak Yeung, do you know realise what you're done? The problem is not with the patient nor the diagnosis. The one with the illness is not Yee Soon but the Empress herself. She is not satisfied with you, you! What more can I do for you? It has finally led to this..." and Bak Yeung sadly could not say anything.

A pause here. Unlike that horse blanket incident which until now still baffles me, this is much simpler. The Empress simply could not acept Bak Yeung's diagnosis because she could not trust him. In her eyes he is Yu Fei's man, so she has blacklisted Bak Yeung. So now Bak Yeung himself is as out of power and out of favour as Yu Fei. Bak Yeung sadly realised that and he is contemplating leaving the palace.

So he was alone. His assistant was being made to do all the chores and so he volunteered to prepare the medicine which he never had to do before. Onn Sin walked by and Onn Sin greeted Bak Yeung. Onn Sin gently smiled and said "Your problem shall pass, and it will be soon when you will rise again, don't you worry" and Bak Yeung smiled. Onn Sin was here to take medicine for Yuk Ying but actually she asked Bak Yeung "Since Yu Fei is no longer in power, how long must Yuk Ying be sick?" and Bak Yeung smiled and sadly said "You're helping her?" and Onn Sin said "Since my grandmother's death, I have nothing to hold me back anymore. It is only appropriate I help Yuk Ying, I do not want her to end up like me" (meaning she recognise Yuk Ying's virtue that is loving her mother enough to do all these and she doesn't want Yuk Ying yto rot in there never to achieve her dreams). Bak Yeung smiled and said "She has indeed changed a lot. Unfortunately, I am in no position to say she is cured. You do realise I am rarely at the medical dept and I am afraid I can't help Yuk Ying at this time" and Onn Sin gently accepted his explanation. And then Hung Mo came and gave to Bak Yeung 100 pieces of silver as payment for Bak Yeung's payment for Chan Song's debt.

Must pause here. Earlier, Hung Mo rescued Chan Song from being beaten to death by loan sharks. Chan Song hated Hung Mo, accusing Hung Mo of helping THAT woman (that is Onn Sin) and caused Chan Song to lose his job (I still do not know how and why since I missed last night's episode). Hung Mo wanted to help but instead Chan Song saw Bak Yeung and quickly kneel before Bak Yeung and begged Bak Yeung to help. Bak Yeung helped pay the debt and Chan Song went away after Hung Mo told him to stop begging and Chan Song refused. Then Bak Yeung tried to advise Hung Mo something but Hung Mo shot back "You're hardly in a better state than I am. I heard you lost your power and your luck" and Bak Yeung said "Why not we try our luck? See whose luck is better? If yours is better I will say no more" and Bak Yeung threw the dice and it was a 5. Hung Mo simply threw the dice and it was a 6! Bak Yeung smiled and Hung Mo said "You hold true to your words. If such is the case, look after Chan Song for me" and Bak Yeung agreed.

Thus when Hung Mo gave him the money Hung Mo reminded Bak Yeung about his promise.

But Hung Mo wasn't happy Onn Sin was talking so much with Bak Yeung and asked Onn Sin "You known him well? Ahhh I didn't ask that. I better go..". Is he dating Onn Sin?

Anyway he still dislikes Bak Yeung but I think Bak Yeung treats him like a friend.

Then Bak Yeung went to see a much subdued and happier Yuk Ying who was very happy to see Bak Yeung. She didn't blame Bak Yeung who was unable to say she is cured and she in fact gave him words of encouragement and said he will rise again one day. Meanwhile she was painting a lantern with words and Bak Yeung asked why she is doing this and Yuk Ying said "It's going to be the (I believe) the blessing night soon and Onn Sin told me to make this myself to release it later that night in the garden" and Bak Yeung thought for a while and then suddenly nodded and smiled and said "Yuk Ying, Onn Sin is indeed the palace's most intelligent and cunning servant. You're very lucky to have her serve you and I have no doubt she could assist you in achieving your dreams, I believe I myself may not have that capabilities!" and Yuk Ying was quite confused. I was too but then we will know why...

It was blessing night and the Empress was there with the Emperor. Then the Emperor saw a lot of prayers written on papers hung along the pavement and the Emperor enquired the Tibetan Monks who did this and the Emperor said "Yu Fei did all these your majesty, to ask for blessing on your majesty's behalf" and the Emperor was very touched. He still loves Yu Fei. The Empress was not pleased and asked the Emperor whether he should leave for his chambers now but the Emperor said "No, I wish to be alone" whilst looking at the papers fondly. The Empress left, leaving her two servants to watch over the Emperor. On the way out she saw Yu Fei and she said "Why are you still hiding my sister? The Emperor has left" and Yu Fei arrogantly greeted the Empress and they had a few moments of word sparring but the Empress kinda lost because she knew Yu Fei knew that the Emperor still cares for Yu Fei. Angrily the Empress left and was walking through the garden when she saw Yuk Ying with her elaborately styled hair with golden flickering dangling thing running after her lantern of blessing and taking it. The Empress asked who she was and Yuk Ying said "Yuk Ying" and the servant said "The sick one? Why are you running around if you were sick?" and Yuk Ying said "I am well my lady. I am no longer sick. I am here to release the lantern of blessing" and the Empress sniggered "No doubt this lantern is filled with the words of blessing and I have no doubt this is for the Emperor? Well his majesty is not here to see this so I guess your effort may have been wasted". Yuk Ying looked innocently at the Empress and said "No my lady, I didn't do this for the Emperor. I did this as a blessing for my lady yourself, as you have been busy taking care of the concubines, it must have been a hectic work, I hope only to ease your burden by wishing you well and asking for blessings on your behalf". The Empress was shocked (ME TOO! Onn Sin soooooo smart) and complimented her on her elaborate hairdo and Yuk Ying said "Oh it is styled by Siu Luk Tzi but there is no one to see at the place I am at. However if my lady were to wear this, I am sure you will look marvelous" and the Empress said "Ahhhh tonight I have so many compliments, first by Yu Fei and now you. I don't think I appreciate such compliments" and the Empress left. Yuk Ying was very disappointed at the Empress' negative respond when suddenly the Empress turned back and curtly said "The night is cold, and you're not in proper clothes. Go back to your room before you catch a cold".

When the empress left, Onn Sin came out and smiled happily. Yuk Ying said "I don't think she likes me even when I complimented her And the Emperor didn't see this lantern" and Onn Sin said "I never expected the Emperor to see this lantern, after all the Empress is by his side, she will never allow him to. And only the Empress will cross this path in the garden. This is wonderful outcome. Don't you see? She showed her concern to you before she left. This is indeed a success" and Yuk Ying was glad to hear that.

Tomorrow...I think more on Yu Fei's downfall and more on how Yee Soon tried to stop Yuk Ying (out of jealousy I guess) and how Onn Sin tries to help Yuk Ying some more.

Tonight's episode is special to me because Onn Sin after having accepted her grandma's death has risen to the occasion and is now more involved in the fight. She is now officially aiding Yuk Ying, not for power or for betting on the right horse (if that is the case she would have helped Yee Soon) but because out of the goodness of her heart that she believed Yuk Ying needs help and she sees Yuk Ying's love for her mother like the same as her love for her grandma. I like this change of direction and I like Onn Sin even more.

Yuk Ying is very lucky. She has Onn Sin and even Bak Yeung at her side. Surely will rise to power, problem now is getting Yee Soon out of the way.

Most memorable scene I guess has to be the argument between Bak Yeung and his father as the reality of the situation began to sink into Bak Yeung who clearly lost control.

I still don't like Yu Fei.

Best costume, the Empress definitely. Her head gear is so impressive. Yee Soon's dress is also nice and Yu Fei's costume is nice too in a less elaborate way than the Empress.

Performance wise, tonight someone has the honour of topping Gigi Lai as the worst ever and that is Yu Yeung. Seriously why this man? Why him? He doesn't have an ounce of royal dignified look in him and it is frustrating that in more emotional scenes he was well, amateur.

Gigi Lai was no godzilla tonight but a bit like Sailormoon instead, as in cartoonish. Her best and most well acted scenes are with Bowie Lam and Maggie Cheung but that scene with the Empress, where she was explaning the head gear was so fake. I know she is pretending to be chatty with the Empress but must that be so over the top type of fakeness? Notice the way she twisted her body to show her headgear, that is enough to make me said this woman is overacting. But tonight at least she is tolerable.

The third worst actor had to be Moses Chan. He was great when next to Maggie Cheung, but when he had to be angry and dramatic, he just didn't cut. But I like Moses Chan and I can't see anyone else as Hung Mo right now. Moses Chan may play a thug or evil man or a street person of uneducated guard, but there is something about his manners and the way he moves that betrays that part of him; he just give me an impression he is a gentleman through and through. So basically I really like Hung Mo because I really like Moses Chan the person. As an actor, he fails. Anyway Hung Mo is now my favourite male character, Bak Yeung second.

Charmaine Sheh was ok, a bit subdued today since she had to do all the conniving work in a more subtle way but she simply had this tragic look all the time that is rather limiting her facial expression. Her eyes simply did not shine with cunning conniving way when telling the Emperor that Yu Fei may not be very truthful after all.

Maggie Cheung...what more can I say? Refer to my comments in episode 1 to episode 14 and I simply confirm my every word of her. Onn Sin is still my most favourite character in here. However I like to see how grandma's death connects with the Empress. DON'T TELL ME! I WANNA SEE FOR MYSELF!

Bowie Lam was great. He has relaxed a bit and got used to his dialogue.

Chan Hung Lit was good, can understand his cantonese better now.

Rebecca Chan so pretty, so grand looking and her performance, her every deceitful look, every hurt, very very good performance. I believe the best for the veteran.

Sheren Teng is still in either Arrogant mode or I can't believe I can lose to that Empress mode. Rather limited and her Yu Fei is still not showing her personality, I am getting bored with her. Performance wise, due to the limitations of her character, Sheren didn't show much but she did well in more emotional scenes. But I find Rebecca Chan's subtle performance more commanding and better than Sheren Teng's Yu Fei.

Who else?

Ahhh no one else. Really a pity Po Shim died. So the story has shifted again, this time to The Usual Stuff-ville. The writer should have strived to make a more multi faceted and more smaller people involved in larger schemes type of scenario. Let's face it; the concubines can only get that far on their own; they can't be everywhere at once and so the servants are their hands, mouth and ears. Imagine if the most knowledgeable servant helps another? Onn Sin is helping Yuk Yung type of situation. I would have hoped Hung Mo ruthlessly uses Po Shim's feelings for him to help get information to topple Yu Fei to aid Onn Sin but no such case. Moreover it will be very out of character of Hung Mo. He may be ambitious but he is not ruthless in that way.

Can't believe 18 episodes already and still non-moving. The plot must move faster...

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

EPISODE 17

2005-11-14T20:40:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh the tragedy of it all!

I didn't watch tonight's episode, caught in total 5 minutes of it so I can't write a detailed summary and so no comment.

What I was doing?

Sisters were watching that brainless show called Desperate Housewives and I then watched House MD. I couldn't stay up until 2am since got major work tomorrow so well...

Anyone can fill in this episode for me? Full credit will be given. Your opinion in the summary is optional.

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

EPISODE 16

2005-11-13T20:39:00.000-08:00

A very sad episode tonight, also very anti-climax but I am sure it is not as simple as it looks.

It was the morning after that night where Yee Soon had to sleep with that dirty lusty old man called the Emperor. She smilingly had her bath, then went back to her room smilingly as the maid helped her and when the maid left, she sat on her bed sulkily. She wasn't the least bit happy and she was pretending to be happy. I kinda find Yee Soon to be a very depressed type of person, maybe prone to melancholy since she wasn't exactly the happiest person in the world. Why she was so miserable we could see in the next few scenes.

Yu Fei went to see the Empress and saw Yee Soon there greeting the Empress, as dictated by the rules of the Palace. The Empress was very pleased with Yee Soon and even took the red pouch that Yee Soon refused to give to the Emperor and Yee Soon let her have it. Yu Fei wasn't pleased and decided to leave early. But before that we are told Yu Fei's daughter is already 100 days old and as with custom a prayer ceremony will be held and Yu Fei thanked the Empress for her concern and the Empress kinda implied having a daughter was no big deal.

Anyway then Yee Soon and Yu Fei joined in the practice session with the monk and Yu Fei was informed that those born on the year of the horse or anything bearing the image of horse was bad luck for the baby and so much be disallowed.

Yee Soon heard this. On her way back to her room she bumped into a panic looking Po Shim quickly burning something and Yee Soon was fast enough to see it was an effigy with the birth date of someone written on it.

At night Eunuch Tsui told her probably Yu Fei was trying to curse someone and with that birth date, it should be the Empress. Yee Soon doubted it was Yu Fei since Yu Fei was not superstitious and did not take such things seriously. But Tsui reminded Yee Soon to half curse Yu Fei's baby during the ceremony, so that when Yu Fei was kicked out, Yee Soon could take her place since she was now the Emperor's favourite woman.

Illogical scene : She only slept with the Emperor ONCE so to call her his favourite woman is a bit too soon and was like jumping the gun.

Then we see Yu Fei and Po Shim having their small talk where Yu Fei said that effigy was by Yu Fei meant to test Yee Soon as she couldn't really trust Yee Soon. She knew the Empress was keen on getting Yee Soon onto her side and so she had to be sure Yee Soon was unlike Yuk Ying, without an agenda.

Illogical scene : I don't see how the effigy connects to all this loyalty testing time but I assume by Yee Soon not telling the Empress immediately about the curse by Yu Fei, meant Yee Soon passed Yu Fei's first test.

Next during the ceremony Yee Soon was helping out, the Empress asked to hold the baby and Yu Fei obliged. Then Yee Soon noticed the Empress asked someone to bring the baby a blanket and Yee Soon saw on the blanket given by the empress were the motifs of 2 horses. Yee Soon was surprised but said nothing. Yu Fei must have seen the horses as later she had her discussion with Po Shim again and really sorry to say I was totally lost about what they were saying and why Yu Fei now trusted Yee Soon.

Illogical scene : By Yee Soon not screaming "Yu Fei, STOP! Got horses on the blanket!!" meant she earned Yu Fei's trust. How so? Did Yu Fei arrange for the monk or that person to lie about the symbol of bad luck on that auspicious day so she wasn't scared when the blanket arrived? I don't understand!

Anyway Yee Soon wasn't feeling very well and Yu Fei sent Po Shim to take care of her (also to spy on Yee Soon's reaction when being told of the feud between Yu Fei and the Empress) and Bak Yeung came to see Yee Soon but Yee Soon brushed him away and refused to let him touch her. Bak Yeung was baffled and when Yee Soon said "You should go to the patient whom you want to see most" meaning Yuk Ying, Bak Yeung left, somewhat reluctantly.

Illogical scene : I always wondered about this; can a male doctor who is not an eunuch walk in and out of the room of a concubine? Touch her hands when feeling her pulse? I thought it's a big no-no?!

The above scene happened earlier actually so I was out of sequence.

Anyway where was I? Ahhhh Yee Soon then went to see Fook Nga who was actually being visited by Bak Yeung. Bak Yeung saw her making gloves and Fook Nga said "I am making those for Yee Soon" and Bak Yeung said "She has become the Emperor's consort and she won't be here to see you much, why are you doing this?" and Fook Nga gently replied "I am happy for her, that she is now the Emperor's consort. She may not be able to visit me often but I am still happy for her". Then Bak Yeung shyly asked Fook Nga if she was ok if he asked her to make another glove for him? And Fook Nga asked "For you?" and Bak Yeung said "No, I would like to give it to a Tap Ying, she burnt her hand recently (meaning Yuk Ying) ..." and Fook Nga gently asked "Like this style?" and Bak Yeung said "Yes, but not too tight as it might hurt her hands" and Fook Nga cheerfully said "Alright". Yee Soon heard all these and was so angry she wanted to cry as she stomped away but she turned back and headed her way to Yuk Ying.

Yuk Ying was screaming in her godzilla mood again since nobody was there to serve her and her hair looked messy. She was trying to comb her hair when Yee Soon walked in and Yuk Ying was very surprised and said "What are you doing here? Have I not suffered enough from your deceit? You're here to see me suffer?" and Yee Soon in a mean voice and mean look said "Let me comb your hair for you...unless you wish for me to inform Yu Fei about your disobedience.." and Yuk Ying said "You're Yu Fei's favourite person now..." and Yee Soon said "I should thank you because you have taught me what not to do and I have passed Yu Fei's tests with flying colours, although they were dangerous tests " and Yuk Ying said "You're despicable, you're a deceitful person" and Yee Soon gloated "As you know I am not the Emperor's consort" and Yuk Ying was wondering why she was telling her all these and Yuk Ying screamed "Why are you telling me all these? You're already the Emperor's consort? You've got the man you want, the man I want, I am suffering now, what more do you want?!" and Yee Soon angrily replied "The man I want? I am now with the man I do not love whilst I have failed to have the man I would want to be with, unlike you!" and Yuk Ying was probably thinking what the heck this woman is saying when Yee Soon angrily pulled Yuk Ying's hair and used a pin to lightly run it over her face and said "I could never understand what is so special about you that makes men go crazy...you're pretty that I admit but apart from your beauty you have nothing, you are nothing." and Yuk Ying was very scared now and said "Let me go, you've won, don't you see?" and Yee Soon said "Remember this; I am now the Emperor's consort whilst you..you will never ever leave this place, ever" and Yuk Ying was left to sob really really loud and Yee Soon angrily walked away.

All pure jealousy and poor Yuk Ying didn't even know where that was coming from.

Next mostly on Onn Sin.

Hung Mo was going to be promoted and Onn Sin was happy for him but was worried she may have accepted too much of his help since he is helping her to take care of her grandma outside of the palace who was now recuperating from her broken leg.

Chan Song was not happy that Hung Mo was spending a lot of money on Onn Sin and risking his career for her and he was out of line when he equated Onn Sin to a prostitute who wanted only his money and that Chan Song can satisfy her needs too. Hung Mo slapped Chan Song and Chan Song ran away. Onn Sin saw everything.

When Hung Mo went to see Onn Sin, he pretended to be cheerful and all but Onn Sin said she knew that she was killing his relationship with Chan Song and she was not very happy but Hung Mo reassured her Chan Song and him will be fine. Onn Sin was worried.

As Hung Mo walked back to him post, he was cornered by Po Shim who make him some cakes. Hung Mo took it and quickly left and Po Shim went away angrily when Chan Song ran after Po Shim and smilingly gave her a very precious Jade Buddha. She accepted of course, that greedy woman.

Obviously Chan Song liked Po Shim and Po Shim liked Hung Mo who liked Onn Sin. Very messy. But Chan Song clearly had no taste. To call a nice girl like Onn Sin a prostitute and yet he himself going after the most vengeful and deceitful person like Po Shim, Chan Song is obviously suffering from an acute shortage of good taste. I like Hung Mo even more after this.

Next scene Onn Sin was waiting by the door for her grandma. This visit reminded me of prison visits; family members will come, your name will be called out and then you take your family member to another room for chit chat and exchange of goods, like in prison. Onn Sin's grandma was again no show and Onn Sin urged the eunuch to wait for a bit longer and he refused when dramatically Hung Mo entered assisting the grandma walking towards Onn Sin. Ignoring protocols (that her name must be called first), Onn Sin tearfully and happily ran to her grandma and hugged her tightly whilst Hung Mo gave the eunuch some money to shut him up. In the room, tt was a very tearful reunion as her grandma said "I am now very old, I can't see too well. Let me touch your hands...ahhh...I have not see you for so many years, you have lost weight..." and Onn Sin fought back her tears. Onn Sin expressed her happiness at seeing her grandma and her grandma extended her gratitude to Hung Mo. Onn Sin promised her grandma she will make her a warm blanket as the winter was coming and could give it to her when she finished her duty in 6 months time. Her grandma was very happy to hear this.

Outside the palace Hung Mo arranged for the grandma to stay at a nice place that was a temple whilst waiting for Onn Sin to be released from the palace. He had a chit chat with the grandma who said "Once Onn Sin is released, we can return to the village. It may not be as affluent here, we may be poor there but I can make cakes and sell them for a living. As long as we are together, we will be happy and contented". Hung Mo smiled but knew Onn Sin will be leaving him soon.

I love this scene because the grandma was so optimistic and all Onn Sin ever wanted was to go home to her grandma. So what happened next was truly a tragedy of Greek proportion.

Once in the palace, Hung Mo told Onn Sin what grandma said and he went on to say .."But selling cakes in the village is not profitable. It would be better if you sell them here at the city, where you can make more money. I have enquired from you, there is a nice shop around here but the place is a bit complicated but I am sure it will be good.." and Onn Sin looked at Hung Mo kinda surprised he made all the plans for her already and Hung Mo shyly said "I am sorry, I have stepped out of line.." and Onn Sin said "Oh no, no, the more you do for me the more indebted I am to your kindness" and Hung Mo said "I just wanted to help you, you don't have to repay me anything. Moreover you were not in the position to help yourself and I have wanted to help you but I think I should go now..." and Onn Sin smilingly called Hung Mo and sweetly said "I have wanted to say sorry but I would think that would be inappropriate now. I think I would rather say thank you, for all your help. I am sure I will be able to manage that shop in the ciry.." and Hung Mo happily smiled and said "I can drop by to help you once in a while, as a friend of course.." and Onn Sin smiled as Hung Mo left.

Ahhhhhhh love. Such a romantic scene.

When Onn Sin had a conversation with Siu Luk Tzi, her every sentence was filled with Hung Mo and Siu Luk Tzi said "He seems to help you a lot" and Onn Sin said "I do not know how to repay his kindness" and Siu Luk Tzi said "Maybe he doesn't expect anything in return" and Onn Sin was silent on this.

She knew! She knew! Hung Mo was willing to kill for her, die for her, risk his career for her, spent money on her, planned her career for her, I mean what more can she ask? Just imagine if the tragedy never have happened, Onn Sin would have stayed in the city opening her nice cake shop with her grandma and she would have married Hung Mo, living happily ever after as they're both very devoted to one another. Unfortunately, the writer must have seen one too many Korean dramas..

Hung Mo went to visit the grandma and was told by a nun she went up to the hill area to pick some wild berries to make cakes. And when I say cakes it is like dim sum type, you know small kuih-muih? Anyway he looked for her the whole day and whole night and he heard wolves' cry and he was very worried. Then he stumbled upon the grandma laying on the ground with blood all over her face.

At night Onn Sin saw a very serious and shocked looking Hung Mo walking towards her. Siu Luk Tzi asked Hung Mo what had happened and Hung Mo reluctantly said "Grandma died, she was mauled to death by wolves, she was already dead when I got to her" and Onn Sin was too stunned for words and she quickly ran out but Hung Mo tried to stop her but Onn Sin screamed "Let me go!!" and she ran and ran and ran. Nothing Hung Mo said could ease her pain.

She was still in mourning when Po Shim rudely asked how come no one washed her dept's clothes yet. The maid pleaded with her and explained Onn Sin's situation. Po Shim quickly went to Onn Sin and saw her sewing the blanket. Po Shim took the blanket away and arrogantly said "Someone died, big deal! You still have to do your work! You're no longer the ku-ku of before! I will tell Yu Fei!" and Onn Sin looked at her with anger and calmly said "Get out" but Po Shim refused and ran out with the blanket and Onn Sin said "Give me back my blanket!" and they fought and the blanket tore into two. Onn Sin was very angry and Po Shim arrogantly said "What:? You want to hit me? Hit me if you dare!" and Onn Sin slapped her.

Onn Sin was then punished, I think by Yu Fei (I can't be sure) and she was made to kneel in front of a big building. She could leave but she continued kneeling, crying in the heavy rain. Hung Mo came running to her and pleaded with her to snap out of it but Onn Sin ran back to her room and quickly tried to gather the torn pieces of the blanket and when Hung Mo tried to stop her she screamed "Where is it?" (I don't know what she was looking for as I couldn't hear that specific line) and she tearfully knelt on the floor and cried "Why?
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!!!!!" and Hung Mo could only stand by her side and was lost for words.

Basically what Onn Sin meant was "Why God! Why this shit is happening to me?! I just wanna go home, why are you doing this to me?!??!" and the answer my friend is "TVB writers, very sadistic bunch. Also good for ratings".

Tomorrow Yu Fei taught a lesson in humility as she was framed for something she didn't do... and Hung Mo warns Po Shim...

Very sad episode tonight. A bit anti climax simply because the grandma died way too soon. I quite like her though. Her emotional reunion with Onn Sin has my vote as the best scene because it was lovely to see genuine love after much plotting amongst the women BUT that encounter between godzilla and Yee Soon has my vote as the 2nd best simply because love can make a bitch out of anyone, to put it simply. I feel so sorry for Onn Sin. Don't feel sorry for Yuk Ying though, and have yet to feel sorry for Yu Fei.

Am I the only one who doesn't quite feel sorry for Yu Fei at this stage?

And who said Maggie Cheung had little role? Quite a lot mah!

I love best the development of story between Hung Mo and Onn Sin. I was quite surprised at the change of direction of Hung Mo's character, from ambitious to simply in love. His character reminded me of those Korean hunks you know, that's the way a man should love a woman. I find him romantic and I really really like his total devotion to Onn Sin. I also like Onn Sin's reaction to his devotion. I am eager to see how Yu Fei falls for Hung Mo and whether Hung Mo ever abandoned his love for Onn Sin. I am sure many more episodes to do.

Performances wise, Moses Chan can do better but I think he did very well as a man in love. He looked totally at ease with Maggie Cheung and they looked so compatible. More emotional scene, not very good.

Maggie Cheung had to do a lot today, as she had to do a lot in previous episodes. Her character has two sides; like today she has to be happy, contented, cheerful, eager, sad, angry, desperate, disappointed...every single emotion known to mankind she had to portray them all today and may I say, she did all of them so well I just love watching her Onn Sin. The only time she nearly falters was when towards the end, she was crying and crying, not very convincing, maybe because the rain close up looked fake. I sincerely feel she is the best actress amongst the 3 actresses. Sheren Teng excluded since she is veteran.

Sheren Teng was ok lar. Her character still very one dimensional, nothing much to do.

Rebecca Chan looked very beautiful tonight with her elaborate costume and she did well, especially the scenes where she had a war of words with Sheren's Yu Fei. Any ordinary viewer who has yet to read any review may be fooled by her kind look and generous disposition. Of course to make Yu Fei look kind, the Empress must of course be evil. There is no other way around and I feel what a waste!

Gigi Lai was unbearably loud but she did quite ok when she was threatened by Yee Soon but still so much over acting, like acting overdrive. Why nobody told her to loosen up a bit and just act naturally? Or maybe in real life she is that over the top?

Charmaine Sheh did quite well today except that I am not convinced she was vindictive enough in that scene where she marched into Yuk Ying's room and did what she did. It was supposed to be a shocking behaviour, a behaviour out of pure jealousy and I thought she simply didn't look mean. She was merely acting I am afraid. Why nobody told her to you know summon that real green monster in her and just act real? I mean like "Charmaine, it have been what? 3 years and you have yet to win the most favourite actress award! How do you feel? HOW DO YOU REALLY FEEL? Yesssssss....show THAT!". Charmaine's acting as a cool melancholic person was good but beyond that was somehow very unreal, I can see that she's acting. She and Gigi Lai are two extremes, one at the extreme of one end, Gigi Lai at the extreme of the other end. Between them both, Charmaine is better, of course.

Everybody else was ok.

So glad didn't see that lusty emperor. Urghhh...

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

EPISODE 15

2005-11-10T20:38:00.000-08:00

More on Yuk Ying and Yee Soon tonight.

So Yu Fei said to Yuk Ying "Alright, prove your loyalty to me, scratch your own face with this hair pin" and Yuk Ying was shaking and crying and eyes looking rapidly left and right didn't know what to do when Bak Yeung came and said "My lady..." and Yu Fei quickly said "Stand aside!" and Bak Yeung stood aside and then Yu Fei said "You said your loyalty is towards me, that you wish only to serve me, so that would mean whether you serve his majesty, it does not matter. So if that is the case, surely it wouldn't matter to you to do as I requested, wouldn't it? So what are you waiting for?" but Yuk Ying didn't have the guts and threw down the pin and Yu Fei before she left sniggered "Useless..".

When Yuk Ying went back to her room, she was in the godzilla mood and Bak Yeung was very frustrated and said "Do not waste the effort of those who is trying to help you!" and she screamed "Help? HELP?! Is this what you call help?!" and Bak Yeung said "You must get away from Yu Fei for a while, take this as your resting time" and Yuk Ying said "What rest? I don't want to rest! You want to help me? Give me back my money!". Must pause here. When she was dragged for isolation, her stuff was burned. Amongst them her money that her mother gave her. Yuk Ying burned her hand trying to retrieve the money, unsuccessfully. Anyway Bak Yeung angrily said "Do you think money can help you now? When are you ever going to realise, bribing others who no longer cares will bring you no benefit!" and Yuk Ying screamed "Get out! GET BUT!!!". Onn Sin walked by and was quite speechless.

Next scene Yuk Ying was trying to write a letter with her injured hand and Onn Sin walked by. Onn Sin then said "My lady, writing home to your mother for money won't help much now.." and Yuk Ying was like "What do you know? Leave me alone! I had to write this letter, I promised my mother I must write to her during mooncake festival so as not to worry her" and Onn Sin couldn't stand by and do nothing and so she said "Let me write this letter for you" and Yuk Ying suddenly removed her earrings (her earlobes were bleeding because of that) and Onn Sin said "My lady you're bleeding!" and Yuk Ying said "I need your help, please help me..." and then Onn Sin listened.

I tell you Onn Sin's only weakness is her kind heart. She agreed to help and went to see Siu Luk Tzi who said "Why are you still helping them? Don't drag yourself into this.." but Onn Sin said this is different, this she must help. Onn Sin asked Siu Luk Tzi to see Chan Song but don't tell her it's from her. She even gave Siu Luk Tzi a lot of money to give to Chan Song! From her own pocket! So Siu Luk Tzi met I think Chan Song or Hung Mo (can't remember who) and Hung Mo/Chan Song was like "Do you know how dangerous it is now to remove anything from the palace? The guards are checking!" but Hung Mo agreed. This was overheard by Po Shim. So Po Shim wanted to trap them and asked someone to ask Hung Mo to help sell the stuff she stole from the palace to raise her dowry so that she can marry well next time. When Po Shim saw the letter amongst the items belonging to Po Shim in a trunk. Po Shim wanted to take the letter but Hung Mo recognised the handwriting (Onn Sin) and quickly took the letter and had a huge argument with Po Shim that she walked off threatening to tell Yu Fei. Chan Song ran after her and tried to patch things up and Po Shim agreed to let it be. But secretly she planned to sabotage the whole taking of goods out of the palace 2 days later and get the letter for Yu Fei. Yu Fei didn't know about this, yet. I tell you, Po Shim is consistently cunning.

Next scene we have probably the most romantic scene thus far where Onn Sin was hanging clothes to dry when she suspected someone was looking at her. She turned to her back and saw Hung Mo, standing there staring at her intently. She couldn't stare back and looked away. Hung Mo helped her with the clothes and then Hung Mo returned the money to her and said "You don't have to give me this, and even if you do, it doesn't have to be so much" . Hung Mo said "Next time, you can come and see me directly if you need any help" but Onn Sin said "I'd rather things are as they
should be, in a proper manner and proper sequence (what she meant was she cannot be what Hung Mo wanted she to be)". Very sad as Hung Mo looked at her as she left.

Then quite suddenly this scene appearing out of nowhere. And it ended very abruptly and I wonder..something edited?

Hung Mo was walking at night when he came across an injured Po Shim. She was bitten by a snake. I was thinking "ahhhh Hung Mo, run! Fake! At trap!" but apparently it wasn't. He sucked the poison out from the foot and even carried her to the doctor. Po Shim was touched but wanted to get down because she wanted to go to the toilet. As she was about to you know pee, she couldn't and Hung Mo asked "What?". He wasn't very polite with her and she said "You could not see but...you can hear..." and Hung Mo took out the flute (nothing sexual here ok!) and ermmm you know blew it...to play a song. Aiyah it's getting very difficult to write these stuff! So innocent but sounds so sordid! Anyway Po Shim was very touched (and I suspect she will prove beneficial to Hung Mo's ambition in future) and Onn Sin heard the music and smiled sadly to herself. She was already in love with him.

Pause for awhile.

She rejected him because a maid can't have affairs with a guard but they can be together once she leaves. Problem is you and I know she will become a concubine later. Very sad. I really like Hung Mo and Onn Sin's love story. Imagine how much he loves her; he is willing to kill for her and he is willing to jeapordise his career for her and even die for her. We all know how desperate Hung Mo is to have a career but for Onn Sin, he is willing to let go of it all. Onn Sin herself was willing to die for him probably because she is too kind hearted but I think it is because she was falling in love with him. I am ready to melt with such romantic notions though I am still reminded of "taking out his flute and began to blow" statement which killed
all romantic notion.

Next scene Yuk Ying was in her room when Bak Yeung came by and Yuk Ying was like very angry with him and Bak Yeung was liek frustrated with her. As they argued about what she should and shouldn't have done, she saw Onn Sin walked by and she ran to Onn Sin and saw that Onn Sin have yet to sell her stuff and deliver her letter. She screamed at Onn Sin as Onn Sin apologised and Bak Yeung walked right up and scolded Yuk Ying and said "How could you scream at Onn Sin? Why are you destroying the efforts of others who wanted only to help you? When are you ever going to realise money will never solve your problems now?! Why are you wasting the opportunity I am giving you?" and accidentally broke her jade bracelet and Yuk Ying ran back into her room and slammed the door. Onn Sin chatted with Bak Yeung for a while. Truth be told I was like Bak Yeung too, thinking what an ungrateful bitch that Yuk Ying was. But Onn Sin explained to Bak Yeung, "I think you have misunderstood Yuk Ying. Her mother is the 4th wife of the governor. They looked like they're having a good life to others but in actual truth they're poor and her mother is always being bullied and had little status in the house. The mooncake festival is coming and it is a tradition in her family that the children must bear gifts to their mother, and some money to give to the servants if not her mother's life would be unbearable because even the servants will bully her mother. She wanted money desparately to do just that, if not her mother would know what she is going through now" and Bak Yeung was like "She stepped on the toes of Yu Fei, her mother will know sooner or later" but in actual fact Bak Yeung was feeling quite guilty.

Me too. Yuk Ying may be a godzilla, but she has one virtue; everything she is doing, she is doing it for her mother. And that perhaps is teh greatest virtue one could have. I kinda pity her.

Then we have more on Yee Soon.

Bak Yeung was asked by Mrs Tsui to give to Yee Soon a letter. Bak Yeung refused and he should refuse but he couldn't because he was to deliver the results of fate telling (those pink slips) to Yee Soon. The actual pink slip was "You're will find the person you're seeking for" which is great news to Yee Soon as she was looking for her sister but Mrs Tsui changed it to something like "The person you're seeking for could only be found in the after life" which meant the sister is dead. Bak Yeung didn't want to do this but he did for reasons I do not know why. Mrs Tsui did this so that Yee Soon would lose hope and just get on with accepting her fate as the Emperor's woman. So Bak Yeung gave this to Yee Soon who tearfully and mournfully cried. Next day Bak Yeung came to see her and he realised she did not sleep the whole night. Yee Soon said "I was always told those who died will become stars in the skies. I waited the whole night, I couldn't see any stars. I couldn't see my sister.." and she cried. Bak Yeung felt very guilty, and again I ask why then deliver the letter? He could have said NO WAY.

Anyway Yu Fei met with Yee Soon when she just learned her sister may be dead and Yu Fei said Yee Soon may be serving the Emperor soon. Yee Soon was a least bit happy though and we will find out why later.

Anyway next thing Yee Soon received a very big package from Bak Yeung. She opened it and inside was a rotating lantern where the stars is reflected on the wall. Yee Soon was very touched and she well, she cried.

One major mistake in this scene I guess. How can the lantern rotate? Yee Soon wasn't pushing anything, no electricity back then, so how? Ahhhh just show only lar!

Anyway Yee Soon met with Fook Nga whom now she has a very close relationship with. She once asked Bak Yeung what was her illness and why Fook Nga who is so kind could meet such an unfortunate fate and Bak Yeung simply replied Concubine Fook is much happier now than ever. Which may be true. Anyway Yee Soon never thought of Fook Nga as her real sister and vice versa BUT Bak Yueng knew. In a way Bak Yeung quite cruel to kill Yee Soon's dreams but the she can't hope what she could never get. Anyway Yee Soon asked Fook Nga whether Fook Nga ever left anybody outside of the palace before she went into the palace and Fook Nga was curious and asked "Did you?" and Yee Soon lied and said "Yes" and Fook Nga asked "Someone in the palace?" and Yee Soon said "No" but she was talking about Bak Yeung. She said "I don't know whether he likes me or he doesn't (she never mentioned it was Bak Yeung by the way) but he does things for me and give me gifts. I wonder if he has feelings for me?" and Fook Nga said "Does it matter now? You're the emperor's woman now, you will be serving him and you should not think of that person anymore of what could never be" but Yee Soon said "I just want to know for myself...".

She then went in search of Bak Yeung.

Bak Yeung meanwhile went to see Yuk Ying who sarcastically said "What are you doing here, seeing someone who is not appreciative of your efforts?" and Bak Yeung said "I came to apologise, I thought I knew things, I always assume I was right but with you I was wrong and I am sorry" and he gave to Yuk Ying a painting of herself and her mother. Yuk Ying was in tears and looked at Bak Yeung and asked "What..why? You've seen my mother?" and Bak Yeung said "Yes, and she wanted me to return this painting to you so that you won't miss her much. I have also given her some herbs and money on your behalf" and Yuk Ying was in tears speechless. "And I want to return this to you, fixed of course" and he gave to her the fixed jade bracelet. Yuk Ying quickly took it and tried to wear it in her injured hand but she couldn't and Bak Yeung said "Let me" and as he slided it into her wrist with a very grateful looking Yuk Ying he said "You must learn to listen to advice and it is my only hope with this you will learn to appreciate the efforts of others who are trying to help you..". Unfortunately Yee Soon saw what was happening and her heart was crushed.

Bak Yeung then received a package from Yee Soon who returned the lantern to him signifying that her heart is dead she shall accept her fate.

Bak Yeung of course didn't know what that meant.

Yee Soon was taken to the Emperor's room.

Pause here. Back in Qing Dynasty, a woman serving the Emperor (probably serving for the first time or maybe in each and every time, I am not so sure) will be washed, perfumed and rolled naked in a blanket and carried to the Emperor's room where the emperor will unroll her like a gift. Quite degrading. This scene I believe have one mistake; Yee Soon already unrolled herself. Anyway I believe after sex, depending on how weak the Emperor is and how overzealous the eunuch may be, the woman will be carried into another room and cleaned and washed and I think rolled back into the blanket and back into her own room. What I do know for sure is again depending on which Emperor and how overzealous the eunuch may be, the eunuch will be standing or squatting next to the bed whilst the Emperor is doing is, count how many thrusts and all and record them all. Back in those days Chinese believed if the Emperor ejaculates, it will be like for the woman zapping the energy of the Emperor and that is a big no no. So I guess we have many sexually frustrated emperor or could this be the eunuch's revenge for not being able to do the deed himself? The records will in
away identify the real son of the Emperor and also to check the sexual virility of the Emperor which is disgusting in my opinion. There is no way a concubine can have affairs and give birth to a bastard more so in Qing Dynasty where they have overzealous eunuchs recording each and every sexual encounter of the emperor, the date, time, length, who, where, what, how many thrusts even. Quite scary. So just imagine this with Yee Soon in it. And the Eunuch will stop the emperor if he feels the emperor is overdoing it. But again I repeat depending on which emperor. I can't imagine Kang Xi doing it and his eunuch said "Stop your majesty, your power is being zapped". I bet Kang Xi would say "bugger off!".

Anyway Yee Soon then waited and then the Emperor walked in and she had a panic attack and she recalled her godfather, Bak Yeung and all and she was afraid but when the Emperor walked in and patted her hand whilst she laid naked under the blanket, she forced a smile.

Next 5 episodes, we have Yu Fei falling from grace, Yee Soon now Emperor's favourite concubine and Yuk Ying trying her best to reach the Emperor but Yee Soon said "Do whatever you must do Yuk Ying but I can always find a way to stop the Emperor from ever meeting you". Ahhhh plots and plottings! I bet Yee Soon was just jealous but Yuk Ying will get the one man Yee Soon wanted!

Interesting episode. Got a deeper understanding of Yee Soon and especially Yuk Ying. But I still don't like her and however desperate she was, she was rude to scream at Onn Sin. In fact she should learn from Onn Sin that patience is a virtue. Bak Yeung may have mistaken her but Bak Yeung was right.

Bak Yeung and Onn Sin, two similar character who did what they did out of the goodness of their hearts. Surely worse fate will befallen the kind hearted, I bet.

Best scene is Bak Yeung scolding Yuk Ying for being rude to Onn Sin.

Performance wise, Sheren Teng was ok. Not quite impressed, I still feel she is prone to deliberate movements for movements which are supposed to be non-deliberate.

Charmaine Sheh did well with those quiet tearful moments but something skipped. Earlier she disliked Fook Nga since Bak Yeung showed so much concern for her but today she was like I like Fook Nga so much. Inconsistent if you ask me, not her fault, scripting problem.

Maggie Cheung needless to say did very well. In pity her; she is the one character that get scolded by everybody.

Bowie Lam was fantastic. No further comment.

Gigi Lai did well in that scene where Yu Fei asked her to do the impossible but notice how much she was shaking and that to me is overacting. ONE LOOK already we can now she will never scratch her own face. Gigi is emphasising too much on body acting if you ask me that it was SO OBVIOUS.

Other than that, she was mostly bad except for thst scene where she was grateful for what Bowie's Bak Yeung did for her.

The girl who plays Po Shim was surprisingly quite ok. I suspect her character will help Hung Mo in later scenes because she was falling for him. And it will be great to have Po Shim by your side since she knows so much.

Moses did ok tonight and his best scenes are those with Maggie Cheung. Very good couple if you ask me.

Everybody else was ok.

One thing though; I can't bear to think Yu Yeung's old wrinkly hands on Charmaine's smooth skin. I mean urghhhh can't find a more good looking and better actor of an older actor meh??

Next week is more plotting. Yippee.

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

EPISODE 14

2005-11-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

I wrote a damn good one when 50% into this thought the bloody Blogger hanged on me! Arghhhh...

Anyway mind very muddled today because car's battery died during rainy rush hour and so I lost RM140-00 to the new battery. Lucky I had enough cash but there goes my entertainment money!

Where was I? I can't remember where tonight's episode began but I shall begin with Hung Mo.

Hung Mo caught the eunuch who was by the side of Ngok Lo Lei sniggering at him trying to smuggle jade out of the palace. The guy almost choked to death and thanks to Senior Suen, Hung Mo found a piece of jade ring. The Eunuch explained he got it from the 3rd body in the well and Senior Suen suddenly looked very uncomfortable. And this proved my theory right; he had something to do with the 3rd body. And we shall see how right I was in my yesterday's thoughts, ahem!

Anyway Hung Mo refused to let eunuch go even when eunuch said he shall owe him a favour (I suspect he will come in good use one day) because Hung Mo remember the insults but Senior Suen said please let him go. Hung Mo then agreed as Senior Suen saved his life before but the eunuch ran off before Hung Mo gave him back the ring. Senior Suen took the ring. Next scene when he was alone, he smashed the ring into tiny pieces in a very tormented way.

Then we shall know why.

The Empress met with Senior Suen, having a rather honest heart to heart talk with him. She said "Please do not talk so formally with me Dr Suen.

You and I have a friendship that has gone way back before and I consider you my confidant, the only one whom I could speak of my feelings to, please treat me as any equal as you will". Senior Suen didn't look like he thought the same. The Empress mentioned about the 3rd body and then she equated Yu Fei like a Ying Kwai Yan (Concubine Ying, very high ranking) and she mentioned Ying Kwai Yan as the 3rd body. Aha! I was right!

Anyway, she said how she remembered the past about this concubine Ying so clearly, and therefore it would be impossible for Senior Suen to not remember helping her. She extended her gratitude that he helped her by making Concubine Ying sick and remaining sick and locked away until she was forgotten and one day the Empress just killed off Concubine Ying and everyone assumed she died from illness. She said Yu Fei reminded her of Concubine Ying who also became the Emperor's favourite and dared to defy the Empress and therefore she had this Ying killed. Senior Suen couldn't say anything but he looked remorseful. Empress who didn't look a bit remorseful and was very determined when she said "It is perhaps time to show Yu Fei that her time is up...".

Drum roll please...thunder please...lightning please...

Suspense!

Anyway Senior Suen went to see Bak Yeung looking very drunk and Bak Yeung was surprised to see him in the brothel. Senior Suen tried to tell Bak Yeung to stay away from politics amongst the comcubines and to back off whilst he still can and not be too close to them. Bak Yeung arrogantly said "I can handle the situation, I know what I am doing, I have everything under control" and Senior Suen laughed cynically and sadly said "You can handle the situation? You know what you're doing? Perhaps you may be able to say the 1st time your master asks you to do her bidding, maybe you can say no the 2nd time but what about the 3rd time? Th 4th time? Can you say no forever? And maybe perhaps you may think alright, fine maybe just this once, just this one time I shall help my master and then what? You have crossed over and from that moment on you can never say no to all their biddings. Listen to me!

Back off when you still can, don't ever end up regretting your past, remorseful of what you did, back away whilst you still can" and Senior Suen fell into a drunken stupor. Bak Yeung took him home.

I must pause here. This has my vote as the best scene with the best dialogue tonight. The scripting here is brilliant and I found myself nodding my head to what Senior Suen said. Of course can hardly understand Chan Hung Lit but from what I could understand, I thought the words of Senior Suen was wise.

Anyway back home, Bak Yeung found out that it was Hau Shu's birthday. He requested for a bowl of mee sua and Hau Shu was very pleased to make him one. Then he found out his study room was lighted every day, the place was cleaned every day and even his acupuncture needles were cleaned and kept respectfully in order. He was touched by Hau Shu's attention to details. And when he saw a deep scar on her wrist (no she didn't try to kill herself) he asked what was that and she said she cut herself when cleaning the shrine or something and it was Senior Suen who took care of her deep cut. Bak Yueng looked at her and said "It must have been a deep cut to leave such a deep scar.." and Hau Shu said it was nothing.

Then Hau Shu mentioned it was kinda late and whether he would stay over and Bak Yeung finally agreed to Hau Shu's delight. Of course separate rooms.

I like Hau Shu. She is such a dedicated wife for a very absent husband. Bak Yeung kinda felt guilty.

Next day Bak Yeung visited Yuk Ying who was really very temperamental. When he mentioned she suffering from having too much ambition in too short a time to realise them all, Yuk Ying pleaded...no screamed her innocence that she was set up and that those other Tap Yings, who were uglier and more stupid than she was would never have had the chance with the Emperor. Bak Yeung tried to advise her to stay away from Yu Fei and stay low for awhile but Yuk Ying was beyond listening.

But he wanted to help Yuk Ying, probably because he pitied her.

So next day Yu Fei heard that Bak Yeung issued a warning that Yuk Ying was suffering from some infectious disease and must be isolated and must not leave that isolated area. Yu Fei knew it was a lie but she thought Bak Yeung did this to please her as she thought he knew how irritated she was with Yuk Ying and this was a perfect chance for Yu Fei to cool down. Yu Fei was very pleased.

Bak Yeung later said he did this so that to give Yuk Ying a chance not to irritate Yu Fei anymore for a while and for her to think about what she did wrong. For as long as Yuk Ying remained unreasonable and arrogant and a potential dangerous threat to Yu Fei who will kill her, Bak Yeung will not release his warning. So basically Yuk Ying's fate is now in the hands of Bak Yeung.

Bak Yeung went to Heung Fau and realised he must do something if not Yuk Ying will definitely be killed by Yu Fei since Yuk Ying was arrogant enough to say "Who is Yu Fei? I will be bigger than she is, you'll see!". Heung Fau said there was nothing he could do and the path was chosen by the concubines and they chose to travel the difficult road of deceit and deception. Bak Yeung knew by doing what he did he was helping her but he told Heung Fau in a way he was destroying Yuk Ying's future as well. Bak Yeung expressed his wish to quit politics and medicine in the palace since he could do nothing for them.

Yee Soon passed by Yuk Ying's former room and saw Onn Sin holding the smashed piece of jade. Yee Soon asked Onn Sin why she bothered to clean the room, and Onn Sin said "Maybe Yuk Ying will come back, moreover there will be another Tap Ying to occupy this room" and Yee Soon smilingly said "Another girl? Someone who is lesser than Yuk Ying perhaps?" and Onn Sin asked to leave but Yee Soon stopped her and said "I know you have gone through a lot these past few days. Be my ally. I can trust you and I need someone I could trust. Be my ally and I can assure you I will be the Emperor's most favoured concubine and when that day comes I shall return you this favour." but Onn Sin said "I will be leaving soon, I am sorry to say I will not be able to see your glory days.." and Yee Soon said "You know how small minded Yu Fei could be. Do you think you can lead a peaceful life whilst you wait to finish your tenure here?" and Onn Sin looked at Yee Soon and said "I shall be transferred to the laundry dept" and Yee Soon was shocked and said "That dirty place? Yu Fei did this? Why then do you have to put up with this, with her? Join me..." and Onn Sin said "I have nothing but one wish; I wish to leave this place and for the next 6 months my suffering at that place could appease Yu Fei's anger towards me, I shall have to bear with it. I must take my leave now my lady.." and Onn Sin left leaving Yee Soon very bewildered.

I admire Onn Sin. She definitely refused to get into politics and she did what she did purely out of the goodness of her heart. And I must say Yee Soon has taste in choosing her as her ally because Onn Sin can be trusted in a way. A pity Onn Sin is not ambitious.

Then we have Yu Fei in her room and Yu Fei asked which concubines have been serving the Emperor and she said she wanted her name to be included for tonight. Just a pause her. Back in those days the Emperor will choose his companion for the night by choosing from a set of name plates so to speak. Only those name plates qualify to sleep with the emperor that night and so Yu Fei is powerful enough to ensure which name plate reaches the Emperor and she knew by putting her own name in she will get the Emperor's visit since she was his favourite. This was why Yuk Ying and Yee Soon will try their best to get favourable support from Yu Fei. Which what will probably irked the Empress.

Anyway the Emperor came that night (lucky Yu Yeung! Can't imagine his old hands hugging the younger ones like that! Why can't Michael Miu become the Emperor? He is old enough. Kong Wah also what!) and he was pleased with Yu Fei. But suddenly he noticed something on the top of Yu Fei's head but he said nothing. And suddenly in the middle of the night the Emperor made excuses about work and left quickly, never happened before to Yu Fei. Yu Fei then found out why. She had a single strand of white hair.

A single strand of white hair. That was enough to kill the lust in the emperor. Dirty old man. And how old is Yu Fei? I doubt she was over 30. In a way I do pity her. She was clearly losing her power when she lost the emperor's attention.

Next day she was strolling the garden when she saw a few tap yings playing kite. Yee Soon was one of them and her kite broke off and she ran after it and straight into the arms of the Emperor. By the way it was purely accidental but also good luck she bumped into him. She quickly bowed and the Emperor was captivated by the kite and followed it and to her. The Emperor saw the red pouch (made by Fook Nga but Bak Yeung said it was from him) and wanted it but Yee Soon quickly said "NO!" and she reasoned that it was old, she wanted to make the Emperor a new one. The Emperor was pleased and said he shall wait for the new one. There! She got his attention!

Then Yu Fei summoned Yee Soon to her room and demanded why Yee Soon refused to hive the pouch to the Emperor. Yee Soon with a small voice confessed that the pouch was made by her male cousin whom she left behind and Yu Fei was pleased with the answer and returned the pouch to her. That night Yu Fei said she shall choose Yee Soon as the candidate to sleep with the Emperor. Po Shim asked why such a dim witted girl and Yu Fei said "It will be because she is dim witted and because in her heart she already had her cousin. She will feel no love for the Emperor" and Po Shim said "What if she did any hanky panky?" and Yu Fei said "If she turns out to be as such, if I have the power to make her the Emperor's concubine and I shall have the power to make her fall". So Yee Soon is the one!

Yee Soon then met with Tsui who congratulated her and Yee Soon said her foster mom had taught her the type of woman who shall make a lasting impression on a man is the type that plays hard to get. She had succeeded but she didn't look too happy.

Don't you wonder why she said NO! when the emperor asked for the pouch? Tsui may have reasoned that any other girls would have given the emperor their pouch but Yee Soon chose to make a lasting impression by having a personality and character. The truth was I suspect that Yee Soon couldn't bear to part with the pouch she thought made or given by Bak Yeung. After all she was in love with him already which was why she said NO! and it turned out to her advantage.

As Yee Soon was making a new pouch for the emperor using yellow fabric and sewing a dragon on it, Bak Yeung arrived and advised Yee Soon to sew instead mandarin ducks ("Yin Yeong") to signify love to the Emperor. Yee Soon wondered if she should do that and that she would adopt a new method instead of the mandarin ducks method. Bak Yeung then recounted the famous story of a tap ying who said no to the emperor when he asked for her pouch. Yee Soon was quite famous and Bak Yeung said "Althought everybody spoke ill of you that you were so rude to refuse the emperor I think you did it right. You had his attention and now he is waiting for your pouch". Yee Soon looked hurt and looked at Bak Yeung "Is that how you think of me?". Bak Yeung of course rightly said that he thought that was what she wanted and he reminded her the dangerous path she was threading and she should strive to not become a forgotten concubine who had lost all privileges and Yee Soon jealously said "Are you saying Concubine Fook? Is there something going between you and Concubine Fook? Do you like her?" and I think Bak Yeung quickly left.

Then Yee Soon dressed very nicely and paid a visit to Concubine Fook. She was surprised to see such a shabby building and garden and she found Fook Nga on the floor fainted.

This definitely gave new meaning to cold palace.

Anyway Yee Soon was very angry with the attitude of the maid serving Fook Nga who was blaming Fook Nga for fainting and Yee Soon shouted at her and demanded she do certain things at once. Only when Yee Soon mentioned she will report this to Yu Fei did the maid quickly went about her work. Fook Nga tried to diffuse the situation but Yee Soon will not hear her.

Then Bak Yeung came and looked at Fook Nga's situation and he too scolded the maid. Then he left to make her some medicine. When he left, Yee Soon asked Fook whether she was that close to Bak Yeung and Fook Nga said "Yes, I am very close to Dr Suen. When I first entered the palace, within 1 year I was made a Kwai Yan and I have seen the glorious side of being favoured. I then didn't know how to differentiate who was a friend and who was an enemy. When I suddenly became sick, I was sent here and Dr Suen was the only one who remained as my friend. I am thankful for his presence. I have a nice confortable house and Dr Suen who cares about me. I am contented with my circumstances. Dr Suen is not only a good man, he is a great doctor who is compassionate a giving. I am very lucky to have met him". Yee Soon looked at Fook Nga and was taking in every word she was saying.

Anyway this scene we know Fook Nga was once a favourite concubine and was very high up there. 1 year and already a Kwai Yan. What illness I wonder she has? And we also find out how nice Bak Yeung is. Is Bak Yeung in love with her? Still dunno yet.

Meanwhile Bak Yeung went to visit Yuk Ying but Yuk Ying blamed Bak Yeung for pushing her into that desolate state with an ugly house, no privileges and a lazy maid. She then did a godzilla (yes, GODZILLA, you know when GODZILLA went trashing the buildings? Excatly that way and as dramatic) and tore the curtains, threw the stuff and all and Bak Yeung realised she still haven't changed her attitude and said "I am afraid you are still inflicted with this disease and you shall remain here a bit longer" and Yuk Ying was beyond listening and she just ran out.

Once out she saw Yu Fei playing with a bird in a cage and Yu Fei saw her but ignored her. She ran to Yu Fei but Po Shim stopped her and she cried "Yu Fei, I have never betrayed you. I have always wanted to serve you, I have no agenda, please let me return, please don't do this to me" but Yu Fei said she was disappointed with Yuk Ying whom she saw as a potential concubine for the Emperor and Yuk Ying kept saying she was innocent, she was crying, she wanted to serve Yu Fei, on and on and on. I think the director must be in love with Gigi Lai or maybe he thought she was doing such a splendid job when I was thinking oh Yu Fei, please strangle her and throw her into the pond! PLEASEEEEEE.... but Yu Fei did something better. She gave us a cliffhanger! She thew a hair pin at Yuk Ying and said "If you're willing to do anything to plead your innocence, then do this. Scratch your own face with that hair pin..." and Yuk Ying took it and looked at it long and hard and Yu Fei said "What? Don't dare to?" adn Yuk Ying looked some
more and then..

tomorrow's preview, we see poor Yee Soon having to sleep with old lusty bastard that caused all these trouble, that is The One Who Saw On Strand of White Hair, the Emperor himself. I shudder at that thought. POOR CHARMAINE!

Good episode tonight with some great moments. Overall it is about Yee Soon and Yuk Ying. I can't pity Yuk Ying. I cheered at her predicament. She dug her own grave anyway.

Onn Sin I am very pleased with. What a character! Yee Soon too I am beginning to like. She shows some character, some personality.

Performance wise, the men did well, including Chan Hung Lit.

The more important ones are the women right?

The worst first.

Gigi Lai is still so bad I can't find anymore words to describe how bad she was. That godzilla scene was so godzilla. I understand, she was emotional, she was angry but the way she flung that divider was so acting mode you know. Such a calculated move. Horrible awful performance as she screamed and cried and all. She cried alright but I can't stand her. The camera seems to linger on her face whenever she begs Yu Fei but oh please stop the torture!

Maggie Cheung was brilliant. Enough said.

Jade Leung was very pretty and did well with the limited screentime though her diction is not clear. If you can put up with Chan Hung Lit, you can put up with her.

Priscilla Lau who played Bak Yeung's cheerleader, Heung Fau was well ok. Not a very demanding role anyway.

Irene Wong brought out the gentleness and the innocence and eagerness of Hau Shu very well, I like her in here though very limited scene. I hope

Bak Yeung really becomes her husband even for a short while.

Charmaine Sheh did a brilliant job tonight. I like it when she plays the deceptive, calm, scheming Yee Soon. Her scene with Maggie Cheung was excellently done and I think Charmaine is very pretty in today's episode. However I am sure once she goes back to emotional scenes she will falter. So far her best moments is those quiet reflection type of moment, something Gigi Lai doesn't understand.

I can't say Sheren Teng was bad. She was ok. There are some scenes I thought her actions looked rather deliberate, like for a moment she did too much or didn't know what to do next to create a continous flow of consistent performance. That scene was the scene where I think she was still very angry with Yuk Ying. Her staring eyes was a bit overdone. But overall, anyone is better than Gigi Lai over the top "LOOK AT ME!!!" performance.

Looking forward to more intrigue tomorrow but will I vomit when I see Charmaine kiss that old man? Hope not.

Anyway I was right about the 3rd body and the connection between the Empress and Senior Suen! Yeah! Got prize or not?

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

EPISODE 13

2005-11-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Suspense, intrigue, confrontation, knowing ones true enemy..what an episode. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!

Anyway recap first. By the way I am giddy with happiness and joy because of THIS NEWS so do please forgive me for my occasional relapse into giddy schoolgirl mode or that when I forgot details.

Where was yesterday's episode? Ahhhh the Empress arrived in the nick of time.

Empress said the two bodies have been found in the well but things have been bad, like bad omen. So she personally came and said she would like to takeover the investigation from Yu Fei and so she will take Onn Sin and go. But Yu Fei arrogantly dismissed the Empress and said the Empress should not be burdened by what should be Yu Fei's investigation but the Empress then reminded her that she was the Empress and therefore is the guardian of the Emperor's wives and all affairs within it so she rightfully had the right to takeover. She was angry that Yu Fei dared to defy her and that the Emperor and herself have given her too much power that now Yu Fei was so arrogant but Yu Fei said if that is the case then perhaps they should let the emperor be the judge. The Empress grew very quiet then and then Yu Fei also said since the matter happened during the Empress' absence from the palace therefore Yu Fei should continue with the investigation to settle the messy problem. Then the Empress full of authority said "It is because it happened during my absence and you have taken over the investigation, look at how messy the problem became!" and Yu Fei was very silent and the Empress said "I shall takeover this investigation and my dear sister should rest. I shall take Onn Sin along.." and the Empress left Yu Fei huffing and puffing.

I was like YIPPEEEE! Finally someone to put Yu Fei in the right place. I know I know she must have been kind hearted and all and that the Empress changed her but frankly Yu Fei may have forgotten about her own humanity for her to do such evil deeds on Onn Sin who really is just a small fry. I was so happy to see the Empress walked in and then walked out the way she did. This scene would have my vote as the best scene for this episode.

Then Onn Sin explained about the killings to the Empress but the Empress was very doubtful of her story. She said "You're but a woman, how can one woman overpower two men? I heard there was a guard who was apprehended together with you. Tell me the truth, was he involved?" and Onn Sin said "No your majesty, he wanted to stop me from leaving the palace, he was not involved. I was the one who did the killings, please punish me alone.." and the Empress kindly said "There are some truths in your story but I know there are some untruths. Nevertheless I believe you ..." and then suddenly an eunuch rushed in and told the Empress that they found a 3rd body in the well. The Empress was shocked and Onn Sin quickly said "Your majesty I admit to the killings of Eunuch Ngok and his nephew but I swear I do not know anything about the 3rd body.." and the Empress quickly said to the Eunuch "Alright then. I feel this case can be settled once and for all. Bury the well, and tell everyone not to speak of tonight's incident again. Onn Sin you have done wrong and should be punished eventhough it was not your fault. But you may go and let tonight's incident settle.". Onn Sin was very happy and the well was smashed and covered.

I am sure Yu Fei would know about the 3rd body but I was curious why she never brought this point up later in the episode. I have a speculation here. I think why the Empress was so eager to first take Onn Sin away is her way of power play with Yu Fei and see who wins. Clearly she won. But why she was so eager to bury the entire incident about the 3rd body instead of referring the discovery to internal investigative dept? I have a theory. Everybody may think Yu Fei dumped the 3rd body there but then why would Yu Fei ordered for the same well to be dug? I think the Empress killed or ordered someone to be killed many years before and the 3rd body was the victim dumped in there. Probably the Emperor's favourite concubine back then? Could Senior Suen have anything to do with this? Ahhh only time will tell. I thought the Empress was far too eager to settle the matter.

Next scene we see Onn Sin burning the neck scarf given by Yu Fei to her, that red coloured one. It was a significant scene. I believe that symbolises that from that day onwards she was the Empress' aide, no longer without a true master but her master was now the Empress since Yu Fei pushed her to that direction. She trusted the Empress whom she saw as kind hearted and reasonable unlike Yu Fei. When she was lightning the lanterns, she bumped into Hung Mo and Hung Mo was very happy for her and was trying to tell her things shall pass and in a way saying perhaps later on when the matter settles they could have a proper relationship. But Onn Sin told Hung Mo that she didn't want to trouble him anymore and she wished to walk this lonely path that is often dangerous alone. She begged Hung Mo not to jeapordise his own future like he did that night as she was not worth it as he went to so much trouble to get to this stage he should not let her business drag him down. And so she walked alone towards the darkness in that big lonely palace and Hung Mo could do nothing but watched the woman he loved walking away from him.

How poetic. It was poetic. That scene was very nicely done and for once I saw the lonely cold palace and the cinematography was for once up to good standards as we can see the spotlight at the back lightning the dark buildings. I wonder though, how long did they filmed in the forbidden palace or maybe most scenes weren't filmed in the forbidden palace?

Anyway continue with the story.

Yu Fei was still anxious to find Tsui's woman, so to speak. Now that Onn Sin was out of her reach, she had to figure out how to settle the Tsui problem once and for all. At the same time Yee Soon heard a rumour that Po Shim became insane after that night at Chan Fei's room and rumour has it that Yu Fei ordered for her to be killed. Yuk Ying heard this and was intrigued by this for reasons I do not understand. I mean why Yuk Ying had to be such a busybody? More so when Yu Fei has given her a bottle of the Emperor's favourite perfume and said to her that when the Emperor comes back she shall introduce her to him. Yuk Ying was very very very happy.

Next Onn Sin was dragged away to I think Chan Fei's room and she saw a very messy and scared looking Po Shim. Po Shim begged Onn Sin to help her as she said "I am not insane! It was Yu Fei's lies! I knew too much, I knew who she hurt and who she killed and now she wanted to get rid of me which was why she said I became insane! Ku-Ku (Onn Sin's nickname) please save me, please help me" and Onn Sin with concern said "There's only one person who can help you now. We must get to the Empress quick. I will arrange everything whilst you wait here". And Onn Sin quickly left.

But she couldn't go far as she was stopped by an eunuch who said Yu Fei said to prepare food for the Tap Yings who were watching an opera together with Yu Fei and Bak Yeung was there too.

I must stop here for a while. I must say that opera taking place at that big big big courtyard was so grand, so real, such beautiful cinematopgraphy. Did TVB suddenly remembered to hire one? Beautifully shot scene.

Continue.

Where was I? Ahhh yes, so Onn Sin couldn't leave just yet. Right about then an eunuch appeared next to Yu Fei and gave Yu Fei a single shoe, and everybody knew it was Po Shim's and something must have happened. Yee Soon was observing the situation and so was Yuk Ying. When Yu Fei left, Yee Soon followed suit and Yuk Ying followed as well. Bak Yeung saw Yee Soon leaving and he was worried what she was to do now. Onn Sin couldn't leave.

Yee Soon was rushing to Chan Fei's room when she suffered an asthma attack and stopped for awhile whilst Yuk Ying was still far behind. And then in Chan Fei's room we see Po Shim neatly dressed and said to a very cool Yu Fei that "My Lady, I am sure this time we will lure Eunuch Tsui's Tap Ying here..." and Yu Fei cooly said "I have planned this for it this way, and whoever reached here, I shall know..".

Ok, now I must explain this scene because I was confused too. After much recollection it was like this. Yu Fei asked Po Shim to pretend to be scared out of her wits and created the whole rumour about she being killed and all. The reason was simple. Onn Sin will never reveal who Tsui's Tap Ying was. Yu Fei must ger rid of this Tap Ying so as not to allow Eunuch Tsui to get his girl near the Emperor. She thought Tsui was working for the Empress and she will never allow for her power to be threatened by Tsui or the Empress. So when the rumours said Po Shim was in Chan Fei's room, Tsui's girl will surely try to reach Po Shim first since Po Shim knew so much of Yu Fei's dirty secrets and that could topple Yu Fei's power. So whoever entered that room tonight, that would be Tsui's girl.

Now one question; why would Yu Fei so eager to topple Tsui Man Tin? This will be explained in a later scene.

And who turned up first? It was busybody Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying immediately knew she was tricked and she quickly begged Yu Fei for forgiveness. Yu Fei was very angry and Yuk Ying kept saying "Yee Soon tricked me! I was following her, she tricked me! She deliberately left her red pouch here..see! See! It's her red pouch, she tricked me! She tricked me" and the scene went on far too long with a very hysterical Yuk Ying. And imagine this; even in a normal scene Gigi Lai was already hysterical, more so this scene. It was very painful to watch. But I reckon the earlier scene where she was having a chit chat with Yu Fei was the worst. I had to cover my ears because she was talking so loud. Maybe someone should tell her talking loudly doesn't make you look like an innocent person as Gigi was obviously trying to portray an innocent naive Yuk Ying, it just made you look bad as an actress and sounded like a total idiot. That was how I see Yuk Ying anyway. Anyway finally the torture (for us viewers) ended when Yu Fei had second thoughts and ordered Yuk Ying to go back to her room and whilst Yu Fei returned to the opera show. Whilst there she saw Yee Soon sitting there and she asked Bak Yeung whom she trusted (and wrongly trusted if you ask me) whether Yee Soon ever left her seat and Bak Yeung said "No, she was enjoying the show from what I could see". Clearly Bak Yeung lied and Yu Fei was satisfied with that answer.

Then Bak Yeung left early and met with Eunuch Tsui and he asked Eunuch Tsui what was going on tonight? Why Yee Soon returned to the opera and asked him to lie that she was there all along? At the same time we have an interwoven scene where Yuk Ying went to see Yee Soon and confronted Yee Soon. So whilst Eunuch Tsui explained that he knew Yu Fei had set up a trap for Yee Soon to walk in, Bak Yeung was very angry and said "You knew it was a trap. Why you could send Yee Soon into that trap?". Tsui said "I sent in 3 god daughters, but now only left Yee Soon. I can't fail and this was the only way I save Yee Soon.."

Cut to Yuk Ying who was screaming at Yee Soon and said "How could you! How could you trick me! I never knew you were a two faced woman and now I know!" and Yee Soon coldly said "I thought I was wrong to have tricked you. I thought I should at least apologise to you but after what you said just now, I could sleep soundly from now on. I bear no guilt towards you..." and Yuk Ying said "You are a liar, you planned all this to trick me. You're jealous of me, afraid that I would win the Emperor's heart, you are trying to oust me just like others and Yee Soon said "Don't you pretend to be innocent anymore. Didn't you report on me about the switched medicine incident? You're not that innocent, you too did all these for personal gain.." and Yuk Ying tried to defend herself but Yee Soon was right. They were equally despicable if you ask me and Yee Soon returned the jade that Yuk Ying gave her and Yuk Ying left the room and threw the jade away. Onn Sin picked up the jade and was wondering what happened.

Meanwhile Tsui explained to Bak Yeung that "Yu Fei already suspected Sook Ling's incident was no accident and I knew I had to deliver someone to her. Who better than Yuk Ying? This way will appease Yu Fei and get rid of Yuk Ying. I had no choice" and I think it was then perhaps Bak Yeung started to pity Yuk Ying.

Yu Fei was in her room and she was very angry as she said to Eunuch Tsui who was kneeling down that "Who am I to you? Am I your master? A concubine? A nobody? Or an idiot? Tsui Man Tin, you can rest assure, tell this to your Master the Empress. As long as I am Yu Fei, I will never allow the Empress' women to get near the Emperor. Are you listening? I will stop her as long as I am here and tell your master that!" and Tsui said "yes" but actually he was smiling. He knew he had succeeded in diverting her attention from Yee Soon.

Meanwhile Yu Fei requested to see Yuk Ying's mom. Halfway the mom saw Eunuch Tsui and had a friendly chat with her. Eunuch Tsui advised the mom that if Yu Fei asked does she know him she must answer no as Yu Fei hated people playing politics and having aides or help from the servants. The mother who didn't know about Yuk Ying's predicament said alright. But Yu Fei's man saw them chatting for a very long time. So when Yu Fei was chatting with the mother, Yu Fei mentioned that Yuk Ying's father played a very important role in defeating the rebels and was highly respected within the palace (so he must have been powerful, so Yuk Ying should come with strong backing but strangely she was all alone in the palace). The mom mentioned that the father was in good terms but not great friends but still friendly terms with another general and Yu Fei noted the general as the Empress' relative (which meant the Empress had strong backing as well) and the mom smilingly said yes without knowing Yu Fei and the Empress were fighting one another. And the Yu Fei asked whether the mom knew Eunuch Tsui and the mom denied knowing Eunuch Tsui. And Yu Fei then decided Yuk Ying was the enemy.

The mom then met with Yuk Ying and told her what happened. Yuk Ying immediately knew she was in deep trouble. Then Yee Soon passed by and the mom quickly greeted Yee Soon in a friendly way (she didn't know what happened before) and asked Yee Soon to take good care of Yuk Ying but Yee Soon gently smiled and said "You daughter does not need me to take care of her madam, she is well loved in here" and she politely left. Yuk Ying was staring at her all along.

Next scene we see the Emperor who came back (didn't really see him, his eunuch carried his order) and the Emperor chose a Tap Ying to spend the night with. It was not Yee Soon and definitely not Yuk Ying. Yuk Ying sadly saw her opportunity passed by as she saw the Eunuch bearing the message left and she was left standing alone, wondering what went wrong.

The end.

Clearly Yu Fei recommended to the Emperor another girl. Tomorrow we shall see how Yee Soon seduced the Emperor and how Yuk Ying settle the matter with Yu Fei. Tension.

Excellent episode tonight spoilt only by Gigi Lai's god awful performance. Tonight she surpassed the metre of bad acting like 1000 percent. She totally killed the episode.

On the other hand, Charmaine Sheh did a brilliant job tonight in bringing out the cynical, manipulative and cold Yee Soon as Yuk Ying confronted her. I thought she did the scene very well and she showed to Yuk Ying she too is not easy to be bullied. By the way she has my vote for the best costume tonight in that scene where Yuk Ying's mother greeted her where she was wearing this flowing white with pink flowers costume. She simply looked ravishing in there. I still think she should have been Yuk Ying and Gigi should have been Yee Soon. I would think Yuk Ying should be quietly manipulative and not like a loud idiot.

Maggie Cheung was brilliant as usual. I pity her Onn Sin. Sheren Teng was great too as she brought out the desperation of Yu Fei very well. I see her need to get Tsui's woman out as desperation.

Wai Kah Hung was brilliant in that one scene where he confronted Hung Mo and kinda whispered and shouted (more like shouting whilst whispering) at Hung Mo for being an idiot and for killing people to help Onn Sin since that would jeapordise his career and whilst helping Onn Sin is what he should do, he must however stop somewhere. Brilliant scene and performance. Why brilliant? He was shouting whilst whispering! Such attention to details unlike Gigi Lai who thinks every viewer must be deaf with the way she screamed her lines. Moses did a credible job too.

Rebecca Chan was amazing. Simply amazing.

The rest are in top form.

This series is getting more and more intriguing although not very complex. Most of the time the downfall of certain people are because they're busybodies.

In that scene where Yu Fei was waiting for Tsui's tap ying to enter that room, it showed many implications. It showed quite simply the true nature of each major character.

For one, Yee Soon is not as simple as one would think. She is not evil but she knows a lot and she knows Yuk Ying is not as simple as she is.

Yuk Ying on the other hand thinks she is very smart and can settle all problems. But tonight showed that she is not that smart and she too by thinking she can outsmart somebody was being outsmarted by the silent one, that is Yee Soon.

Onn Sin's only downfall is that she is too kind hearted and Yu Fei knew how to manipulate that and so would the Empress. She should not have butt into Yee Soon's problem but she had to because she couldn't let Yee Soon get into the trap. Eventhough Po Shim has always been mean to her she was ready to help Po Shim who was we later found out part of Yu Fei's plans to trick the mole out. To me Onn Sin is noble but at times too noble and that is not good. She really doesn't know much but she still get sucked into it because she simply couldn't just walk away. And that is why she is such a beautiful character, and a great person. A loyal and morally concious person who is now the Empress' aide not by choice but by force.

Yu Fei's downfall is she is too desperate. She feared too much and yet she cover that fear by acting all arrogant which will only push the Empress to do something drastic to kick her out. Maybe she has suffered much but I don't quite like Yu Fei. Like I said however much she was bullied to do what she did on Onn Sin is a clear indication she has stopped functioning as a human being and she too got sucked into the power play probably created by the Empress. I find Yu Fei a very fearful person at the end of the day.

The Empress is probably the only one who handles all matters cooly. I know I am sure she will later be revealed as someone evil, manipulative which is such a terrible waste because if not how then we the viewers accept Yu Fei? A waste. A complete waste. I really like the way the Empress handled the situation tonight, even when she was well eager to bury the 3rd body in the well incident for reasons as I have speculated above.

Great episode tonight.

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

EPISODE 12

2005-11-07T20:36:00.000-08:00

Please forgive me if I tend to be a bit emotional today because I can't be anything but emotional. I will outline 3 reasons why I am going to be over emotional today..

1. I so hate Yu Fei, that bully!

2. I so hate Yuk Ying, that rat!

3. I so hate Gigi Lai, that woman who really successfully killed the entire show with her really awful horrible despicably bad urghh type of acting.

Ok, let's begin proper.

Onn Sin was about to be raped as she was held down by Ngok Lo Lei and that Ngok's nephew was on top of her when Onn Sin reached the knife by her side and stabbed that nephew. As he fell down in pain and shock, Ngok told Onn Sin if she wanted to kill him, she better do it now because if he lived he will make sure she will suffer for the rest of her life and he will make sure Yu Fei knows of this and he will make sure Yu Fei will make the rest of her life unbearable hell. It was such an ugly scene as Onn Sin pinned down and in fear was beginning to cry as she realised that was the end of everything when suddenly a hand pulled Ngok away from her and it was Hung Mo, who simply took Ngok's head and repeatedly banged his head on the stone table until he died. Then he took the knife and stabbed the nephew coldly and repeatedly until the nephew was dead. Onn Sin was beyond shocked and seeing her hands covered in blood, she began to panic and said she killed people. Hung Mo cooly shook her and said "Onn Sin, I killed them, not you! I killed them!" and he helped her to bury the evidence by throwing both bodies down an abandoned well and covered it. He then told Onn Sin to go back to her room and pretend nothing had ever happened.

Onn Sin went back but for several days she felt guilty eventhough as Hung Mo I would have stabbed those two men twice more for what they did to poor Onn Sin. Since the ghost festival was coming and the palace being a place of gossips and multiple murders of pitiful deaths, many were gripped by fear that the spirits of Chan Fei and many others will return to haunt the palace. So Onn Sin was feeling the tension.

Yu Fei meanwhile was looking for Ngok and when nobody could find him her suspiscion was aroused but she didn't really thought Onn Sin killed him or anything. She summoned Onn Sin and showed to Onn Sin a red coloured long neck tie/scarf and for a moment I thought she was going to ask Onn Sin to hang herself with it. Instead she put it around Onn Sin's neck and said cooly and cruelly that even if Ngok's missing, that did not mean Onn Sin will be let go. Onn Sin begged her to let her be, as "I am but a lowly servant, I have served my masters well, I have never done anything out of line, I just wish to go home to my grandmother, please have mercy on my life" but Yu Fei simply refused and emphasised that "Even if Ngok's missing, don't you worry. I will find another eunuch as your husband but I can't guarantee you this eunuch will be of better quality than Ngok Lo Lei!" and all Onn Sin could do was weep in fear.

Basically what Yu Fei meant is she will find someone more foul, more despicable if Onn Sin refused to co-operate.

Anyway Bak Yeung was in the medical dept with his father when eunuch Tsui came in and said to Bak Yeung to help deliver a letter to Yee Soon. Bak Yeung was reluctant to be an accomplice but Eunuch Tsui in a way blackmailed him by saying he can't guarantee he could be of much help if senior Suen's corrupted ways were made public. Bak Yeung sulkily took the letter and placed it into the medical books and eunuch Tsui was very pleased.

I must stop here. I still do not think Senior Suen was ever a corrupt official. He simply didn't look like it since he was such an honourable man. But Bak Yeung believed it so.

So Bak Yeung took the letter to Yee Soon who was looking forward to Bak Yeung's visit. Yee Soon looked at the letter and apologised to Bak Yeung for putting him through such troubles. Bak Yeung sat down and seriously said to Yee Soon "I do not know what your godfather wants you to do this time but you must be careful. You can't be always that lucky like that night and you must remember that", and Bak Yeung left whilst Yee Soon looked...well she looked..well she had a look but due to Charmaine Sheh's rather poor expressive acting, I simply didn't know what that meant. Was it regret? Agreement? Sad? Well whatever.

Bak Yeung then bumped into Yuk Ying who was holding soem flowers and deliberately dropped one stalk of flower onto the floor and Bak Yeung picked it up for her. Yuk Ying teased "Visiting your lover again doctor?" and Bak Yeung simply smiled and admitted he saw Yee Soon. Yuk Ying tried to up Bak Yeung one notch by observing that he was very pretentious and could pretend so well about Yee Soon and himself (I seriously doubt she actually believed they were having an affair) and Bak Yeung simply smiled and looked at her and said "Well I can't say I could be anymore pretentious than yourself madam. You could play your little game with Yu Fei, as I can see you must have been picking up flowers for Yu Fei since that's her favourite flower. But you must remember, Yu Fei intends only to use you to her advantage" and Yuk Ying triumphantly said "Yu Fei trusts me and I am her favourite person, she wouldn't know who is using who" but Bak Yeung said "Well did you know his Majesty is returning to the palace in 2 days time?" Yuk Ying was shocked since clearly she didn't know and Bak Yeung said "Why..didn't Yu Fei told you?" and then he left, with Yuk Ying feeling not so smug anymore since Yu Fei clearly didn't trust her.

Yuk Ying then went to see Onn Sin who was busy thinking about what happened previously. Tried as she might, Onn Sin refused to tell Yuk Ying why she looked so worried. Yuk Ying put on the innocent act of being extra helpful and told Onn Sin she can tell her problems to her anytime as she was sure she can help. I felt like vomiting looking at that pretentious Yuk Ying and the horrible acting by Gigi Lai who would have sucked 10 big oxigen tanks with the way she delivered her lines. If I talked like her I would have died of overdose of exigen intake into my lungs because she really breathed that much in such a short space of time.

Meanwhile the rumours of Chan Fei's ghost was back was getting worse and worse. Po Shim and fellow eunuchs were suddenly attacked by crows, a very bad sign and fear was sky high. And Yu Fei was very angry when she found out Chan Fei's name was included into the list of dead persons to be prayed for as she once said no one was allowed to pray or burn incense on behalf of Chan Fei. I mean woman! She's dead! Can't you let her soul rest in peace? BUT NOOOOOO..Yu Fei said nooooo but Po Shim secretly went to Chan Fei's room and burn incense when suddenly a flock of crows flew by and the white neck scarf dropped down from where Chan Fei was hanged and then Po Shim saw a shadow sitting on Chan Fei's bed she quickly panicked and said "It was Yu Fei who ordered for your death, Yu Fei! Not me! Not Me!" and the the door opened and Yu Fei walked it and slapped Po Shim and told her mouth to shut up and dragged her out whilst she walked in and observed the surroundings. His eunuch saw the shadow too on the bed and Yu Fei was so angry she walked towards the bed and it was only a dummy wearing Chan Fei's clothes. Yu Fei knew then somebody set this up and was determined to find out who.

Meanwhile Onn Sin went to the well and offered prayers for the two dead guys. She begged them to let her be and hoped their souls will rest. But someone was there observing her and that was Miss Hyperventilated Yuk Ying.

Meanwhile the emperor and empress returned to the palace and the empress met with the Tap Yings, concubines and Yu Fei and expressed her displeasure that Onn Sin should ever be married during that month. Just so you know Yu Fei must obtain the Empress' consent to marry off Onn Sin and the Empress won't agree since it was ghost festival month, not a good time for marriage. But Yu Fei said she was doing this to reward her faithful servant and Onn Sin wanted it anyway. But the Empress said let it be for now but Yu Fei arrogantly said "I can't do that. If dear sister refused to give your consent, I will have no choice but to seek consent from his Majesty". The Empress could not say anything more. But that scene was like a direct challenge to the Empress as Yu Fei clearly did not give face to the Empress in front of everybody.

Yu Fei was very angry once back in her room and in her mind she thought why would the Empress defend a nobody like Onn Sin and questioned her actions and she concluded Onn Sin was not only same gang as Tsui but also the Empress, all wanting to defeat her. Here I was thinking "Yu Fei you bitchy bully, if you had been a kind gentle soul maybe nobody would want to drive you to doing these dirty deeds!

Anyway Yuk Ying meanwhile pretentiously went to see Yu Fei and cried how she was worried about Onn Sin as she saw her praying by the well and saying something like Ngok and something something. Yu Fei immediately ordered her men to check the well.

Meanwhile Hung Mo dragged Onn Sin away and said the secret will be out soon but he has arranged for transport and everything for her to leave the palace now and he was dragging her away. Same scene the eunuchs found Ngok and his nephew in the well. Back to Hung Mo, Chan Song came to Onn Sin and said Hung Mo did what he did because he loved her and Hung Mo told Chan Song to shut up. But Onn Sin looked at Hung Mo and said she knew his intentions but no way she could run out of the palace. Hung Mo said everybody will be too busy looking at the fireworks to notice her but Onn Sin refused to run and said "I can't drag you down, I can't. I will surrender myself and I will confess to the killings. Please take care of my grandma for me" but Hung Mo refused to let her go when the eunuchs arrived and arrested them both together with Chan Song.

Back to well scene, the eunuchs were shocked to find a 3rd body in the well in the form of skeletons. Ahhhh who was that? Intrigue, suspense..a well full of dead bodies!

Onn Sin was brought before Yu Fei and she was kneeling before her and Yu Fei said to Onn Sin she should not be stupid. But Onn Sin said "Please punish me, Hung Mo has nothing to do with this. He was just trying to help me leave. Please punish me instead and have mercy on him" but Yu Fei said "There are many ways I can make you suffer without punishing you..." and Onn Sin realised the threat and tearfully begged "Please my grandma is old, please let her be, please punish me instead" but Yu Fei said "You know what I want. I shall ask you again...who did Eunuch Tsui placed amongst the Tap Ying? Don't be stupid! Answer me!" but Onn Sin just looked at the floor and didn't know what to do when Yu Fei reminded her about her grandma and Onn Sin the surrendered and was about to reveal who when the announcement came that the Empress has arrived.

Tomorrow we shall know what happened and something bad will happen to the arrogant Yuk Ying! Somebody upped her this time!!

Wahhhhhh so suspenseful! I am so glad the Empress came on time. Question now is who is that 3rd body?? Couldn't be someone Yu Fei killed since she wouldn't order a search at the very place that she dumped a body!

Anyway I can't see how Hung Mo could fall for this bully called Yu Fei nor how anyone could be her friend. She is so despicable, so ruthless and what she did to Onn Sin was so unforgivable. Yuk Ying also as she sold Onn Sin out to gain Yu Fei's trust so that Yu Fei will allow her to get near the Emperor. Where' s the integrity?!

Onn Sin shown with integrity and honour tonight although she almost blabbed out Yee Soon. I really like Onn Sin even more after tonight. What a character! In a moment of 5 minutes she had to go through fear, anger, pain, disbelief, think and then fear again. I was asked why Maggie Cheung in this role, why not Charmaine Sheh or Gigi Lai? Well I can say besides Yu Fei, Onn Sin is really the most difficult chracter to portray and anyone with any lesser acting skills will kill this character. Luckily Maggie Cheung did not disappoint. Her scene with Sheren Teng's equally well portrayed Yu Fei was full of tension and fear and has my vote as the best scene, that one towards the end.

Another shocker of a character is Hung Mo and Chan Song as well. They are so loyal to their friends and Hung Mo so fearless in defending Onn Sin that their story is very intriguing and touching as well. I really like Hung Mo after tonight for being so protective of Onn Sin and I applauded that he stabbed those 2 creeps. Even Chan Song is so brave and so outspoken. What characters we have in this series!

Yuk Ying is despicable. I hate her! Yu Fei! I hate YOUUUUUUU!!!

Performance wise, let me say Rebecca Chan looked so beautiful with her really glamorous looking costume and head gear. The best costume! And her sparring with Yu Fei was magnificent to watch and I think she did the role justice. I must add I look forward to the Empress teaching Yu Fei a lesson or two, because Yu Fei must be taught a lesson.

Sheren Teng was magnificent but she still has very little to do except to be angry and suspiscious of everybody, thinking even Onn Sin was out to get her. Oh pleaseeeee..don't think so highly of yourself lar! Maybe Onn Sin shouldn't have helped Yee Soon because thus far Yee Soon has yet to do anything to repay Onn Sin for helping her that night. Quite ungrateful this Yee Soon.

Yee Soon is not that bad a person though, compared to Yuk Ying. Very passive tonight, Charmaine Sheh had little to do and she didn't do them too well. Her acting was below par, very inadequate as I can't read her expression. Yuk Ying should be the one who we can't read her expression but thanks to Gigi Lai, she has "Pretentious" etched in her forehead when her Yuk Ying is pretentious or "LIAR" when she was lying, etc etc etc.

Gigi Lai was simply so oh my god type of acting as in wahhhhhh oh my god, can she get any worse? Well tonight she managed to upped her standard of bad acting. Must she be so over the top?

Bowie Lam was magnificent tonight. Subtle, playful, sarcastic, he did them all very well.

The veterans did well too, a special mention to the actor who played Ngok Lo Lei, one disgusting character.

The actress who played Po Shim whose name escaped me right now is ok for a secondary supporting actor.

Moses Chan and Wai Kah Hung were in top form, especially Moses Chan for his standard of acting. He's not a great actor but he has great chemistry with Maggie Cheung and tonight he delivers a decent performance. Really like his Hung Mo.

Last but not least, what more can I say about Maggie Cheung that I have not said since episode 1? Oh yeah, hide that mole! That mole on her upper lips really spoiled her good looks but acting wise, Maggie totally saved the show with her excellent performance. Her character may be passive at times but in such a short time her character had to go through so much expressions and emotions, Maggie did Onn Sin justice. Anybody else may do better but definitely not the other 2 in this series. I can't wait to see how she would scheme her way to the Emperor's heart, since it is already episode 12 and she's still a maid.

If you want a conclusion to what I think about tonight's episode, fans of Onn Sin and Maggie Cheung MUST NOT miss this episode. In fact fan of anybody must not miss tonight's excellent episode. I feel so much pity and fear for Onn Sin.

Ooohhhhhh I HATE YUK YING AND YU FEI!

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

EPISODE 11

2005-11-06T20:35:00.000-08:00

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 -

EPISODE 10

2005-11-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

Excellent episode tonight, full of intrigue, suspense and a show of true character in the face of temptation and dangers. Tonight Onn Sin and Bak Yeung truly shone with integrity and honour.

Where was I? Kinda confused as to where to begin since can't remember where this episode actually started off on. I shall start with Onn Sin I guess.

Onn Sin was still very anxious about her grandma and she couldn't get the eunuch's permission to leave palace earlier to visit her grandma. Siu Luk Tzi knew this and softly said "Is this why you were harsh on the younger maids?" and Onn Sin was shocked by this and sadly said "I am not harsh on them because of this. You know as as a servant one word we must learn is never to make mistakes. We don't pay for our mistakes with punishments or kneeling on our knees, we pay for them with our lives. I am leaving soon and I hope the young ones will learn fast, at least I can leave with a peace of mind".

She was summoned by Yu Fei who again asked her if she knew who was the trouble maker amongst the Tap Ying as Yu Fei suspected Eunuch Tsui planted someone inside amongst the Tap Yings. At first I was confused why Yu Fei was so concerned then I understood why. To Yu Fei, she wanted to ally the stupid ones by her side and get rid of the smart ones. She knew Sook Ling's incident wasn't about ghosts and conscience as Eunuch Tsui told Yu Fei so she wanted to get rid of that smart one. She knew Onn Sin knows who but Onn Sin pretended not to know and said everybody was living in harmony there. Yu Fei could do nothing but warned Onn Sin that "If you help me find this person, I'll ensure that you could leave this palace". Onn Sin was in a dilemma. But did she tell Yu Fei?

Ahhhh that was when this episode shone in terms of Onn Sin's character.

Siu Luk Tzi wanted to help and so Siu Luk Tzi stole a painting from the Art Gallery in the palace where he was serving and went straight to Hung Mo and Chan Song whom he knew were selling stuff on the outside. Hung Mo pretended not to know what he was saying until Onn Sin suddenly appeared and dragged Siu Luk Tzi away. Before they left, Hung Mo overheard Siu Luk Tzi said something about the handkerchief he sold on her behalf and immediately Hung Mo suspected the person he was looking for was Onn Sin.

Anyway Onn Sin was very angry with Siu Luk Tzi for stealing but Siu Luk Tzi said he wanted to help. Siu Luk Tzo said "Why don't you let Yu Fei have this favour? Tell her the person she wants to know". I think Onn Sin suspected Yee Soon. Anyway, Onn Sin said "No, if I have wanted to gain from this, I would have told Yu Fei but I refuse to. What's the use of my love for my grandma if I were to betray my conscience for material gains? I can't do that."

This has my vote as the best scene in today's episode and tonight's best dialogue. I so love Onn Sin at this moment and she is such a great person, as she is genuinely concerned about others. She tries to survive in the palace by not betraying her integrity and in a way she is a bit like Bak Yeung, except Bak Yeung did do those stuff for material gains but for Onn Sin, it was for peace of mind. Great character!

Anyway Hung Mo asked Siu Luk Tzi about the handkerchief he bought, whether it was by Onn Sin and Siu Luk Tzi said yes. Then Hung Mo showed Siu Luk Tzi the pink one with words in it and Siu Luk Tzi couldn't be sure but said it could be by Onn Sin. Hung Mo was very happy and told Siu Luk Tzi he wanted to help Onn Sin.

I must pause her. For sure the purple one is by Onn Sin but the pink one with words which in a way pushed Hung Mo to do what he did to get into the palace apart from finding fame and power is still unclear whether it is by Onn Sin. I will predict here since no reviews I have read have ever revealed this thus far. I predict that the pink handkerchief is actually by Yu Fei when she was younger, alone and powerless in the palace and out of loneliness she sew that poem about loneliness within the palace. Don't tell me if I am right. I think this is possible as it will act as a connection between Hung Mo and Yu Fei because if not I can't see why Hung Mo could fall for Yu Fei and how Yu Fei can be redeemed because right now she is bitch no. 1 in this series.

Anyway Onn Sin was told Hung Mo wanted to help to track down her grandma and she was grateful. Must stop here to ask a question.

I thought Siu Luk Tzi was in contact with one of Onn Sin's village friend who was accompanying the grandma to Beijing? Even Onn Sin knew the town the grandma was staying now so how come Onn Sin then asked Hung Mo to find where her grandma was and giving him description of her? I thought she knew all along where the grandma was? If not how can Siu Luk Tzi send money to this village friend to pay for medical treatments of the grandmother's injured leg? Why? WHYYY??

Assuming she didn't know, anyway Onn Sin then apologised to Hung Mo for ignoring him the other day as "A female servant must not be seen speaking with a man inside the palace, at that moment there was so many people, I had to walk by fast. I am sorry for ignoring you" and Hung Mo understood. At that moment Hung Mo was in love with Onn Sin as he found the mystery woman. BUT my guess is she is not the mystery woman!

Earlier, after Eunuch Tsui saw Yu Fei, he went home and ordered the now crazy Sook Ling to be hanged. Mrs Tsui saw her lifeless body and tearfully asked Eunuch Tsui "Why? Why did you have to do that? She is now crazy, she doesn't need to share with anyone else, she doesn't need to fight with anyone else, why can't you let her be? She is of no use to you anymore, why can't you let her live?" and Eunuch Tsui simply said she had to die because Yu Fei knew.

Well Yu Fei knew but she was not stupid. With Sook Ling's abrupt death, she was sure Eunuch Tsui was up to something. Again, Yu Fei again summoned Onn Sin and again Onn Sin said she didn't know who the culprit was and Yu Fei was not pleased with Onn Sin's steadfast loyalty to those she knew. But she said to Onn Sin there was something Onn Sin could do and that was to spread the news that Yu Fei knew someone in the medical dept was involved with Sook Ling sudden insanity and that Yu Fei will dig out that person. When Onn Sin left, Yu Fei finally revealed her plans. It was simple. Once this news spread, the person under eunuch Tsui will be very anxious as Eunuch Tsui may be in danger and so whoever leaves that night after the news is spread, that is Eunuch Tsui's planted "Tap Ying" and that's the person Yu Fei will get rid of.

Yee Soon heard the news and indeed at night she was about to leave to meet Eunuch Tsui when suddenly Onn Sin appeared and said "If you leave now, your identity will be revealed and you will be caught" and Yee Soon doubted Onn Sin's sincerity and asked "Why are you telling me this?" and Onn Sin said "All the rumours were spread by Yu Fei. She wanted to know who was the mole in here and if you leave now, you will surely be caught and I can't help you" and Yee Soon said "The more I must leave to meet with my godfather. I must warn him of the dangers" and Onn Sin asked "Your godfather?". Onn Sin didn't know who Yee Soon was working for but knew she was working for someone. Yee Soon then said "Why would you help me?" and Onn Sin said "I have a conscience. I must obey the orders of my master but that doesn't mean I must follow every word" and Yee Soon then slyly said (and I hate her for doing this to Onn Sin) "If you do have a conscience what you should do next is up to you. I am leaving now, and since I am your master, perhaps you should obey me?".

Next scene a mysterious woman was leaving the quarters of the Tap Yings and indeed a eunuch followed her but that was Onn Sin. Yee Soon meanwhile was going the other way when she was spotted by some eunuchs who ran after her. She ran fast but was almost caught when Bak Yeung suddenly pulled her aside and ran with her until they reached the pond and since the eunuchs were near, they had no choice but to jump into the pond. Must stop here for awhile.

I thought the pond was shallow? Well it wasn't.

Anyway the eunuchs arrived and saw some bubbles rising from the pond (it was dark so they can't see well) and so one eunuch took the pole he was holding and started to stab on the water when he hit something which drew blood. What happened next and how they escaped I do not know since the scene stopped there and moved to Yu Fei.

I am curious. How did they escape? Inconsistency here, and we have suspend our disbelief and logic and just assumed the eunuchs never jumped into the pool, that they kept stabbing on the pond but wasn't successful in finding Bak Yeung and Yee Soon and that both of them could hold their breath until the eunuchs finally left and climb out of the pond and ran back to Yee Soon's room without being spotted. I mean so many things could have happened in so many ways! Anyway just assume lar.

Next Yu Fei knew there was a mystery figure and Po Shim suggested why not check the Tap Ying's place now and Yu Fei said they can't just enter like that and Po Shim said leave it to her. If whoever was hurt or missing, that was the mystery figure. Well once there Onn Sin tried to stop Po Shim but bitchy Po Shim just barged into Yee Soon's room when she saw water at the courtyard. Once in she found Yee Soon in the bath tub. Po Shim asked a lot of question like why bath in the middle of the night and all but Yee Soon handled the crisis cooly and demanded Po Shim to leave. Po Shim didn't believe Yee Soon and on the pretext that Yu Fei lost her jewelry when one of the Tap Yings went to greet her at her place and that this person was hurt (something like that)so Yee Soon was very angry and she stood up naked and Po Shim was shocked at Yee Soon's action. Onn Sin was shocked too and she quickly went to Yee Soon's bed to take the clothing when she saw Bak Yeung hiding by the side of the bed. Anyway Po Shim left.

Next scene Yee Soon was helping Bak Yeung tend to his injured hand (thanks to that pole) and Onn Sin gave Bak Yeung his wet clothing. Bak Yeung was wearing a eunuch's uniform and Onn Sin apologised that she couldn't give him better clothes and Bak Yeung jokingly said "Well I should be grateful you didn't give me the palace maid's clothes!". Onn Sin left and Yee Soon thanked Bak Yeung for helping her. Bak Yeung explained that the eunuch Yee Soon asked to inform Eunuch Tsui of the meeting could not find eunuch Tsui and he bumped into Bak Yeung who quickly went to assist Yee Soon. Then Bak Yeung said "Yee Soon, have you ever thought of helping yourself first? You're a tap ying now, the rest of your life is in the palace, have you ever thought of your own future instead of your godfather's?" and Yee Soon sadly said "Godfather took care of me since young, I have to repay his kindness" and Bak Yeung said "Have you ever thought he is using you? When you're useful he will remember you but there will come a day you will no longer be useful to him and like many others, you will be cast aside and forgotten. No one will remember your name and no one will care to know your name. Think about your own future". Yee Soon thought deeply what Bak Yeung told her.

Next scene Po Shim the poke fire agent of Yu Fei saw Yu Fei had in her hands a bloody handkerchief and Po Shim said she was lucky that she searched the rooms and found that piece of evidence. Sorry to say I did not know she picked up that handkerchief. A missing link here like that pond scene. Anyway Po Shim said "My lady, do you want me to have Onn Sin arrested? After all she foiled my lady's plans tonight" and Yu Fei said "Onn Sin is not the one I want. I have a better way, why not give Onn Sin some favours to push her to reveal the mystery person instead of punishing her?"

And next week, major drama as Yu Fei intends to marry Onn Sin to an old eunuch in a way to force her to co-operate with Yu Fei whilst Yee Soon finally knew Yuk Ying's rotten heart. Major major drama.

Tonight's episode is all about Onn Sin. I really pity her situation. Now that Yu Fei is forcing her as well I do wonder why Onn Sin didn't just reveal what she knew? Of course that scene with Siu Luk Tzi explained it all. It is a matter of honour and I am impressed with Onn Sin's integrity. All she wants is to leave the palace in one piece but not at the expense of hurting others. I find Onn Sin such a beautiful character with tons of personality and I am curious why not many find her interesting? Next week will surely test Onn Sin's character and I wonder what she will do?

Bak Yeung also seemed very concerned about Yee Soon. Earlier in the scenes there was one scene which showed the softer side of Bak Yeung who went to visit the forgotten Fook Nga and he said Eunuch Tsui sent his regards and Fook Nga was touched by Tsui's concern for her although she was no longer the emperor's favourite concubine. Before Bak Yeung left Fook Nga asked Bak Yeung to give some hand made socks to Eunuch Tsui and Bak Yeung asked "You have very little clothings yourself, why waste it to make socks for eunuch Tsui?" and Fook Nga of course said it was nothing. Once back at the brothel/hotel, Heung Fau looked at the socks and said "This is a beautifully sewn sock, a pity the person intended will never see this. I pity Concubine Fook" and Bak Yeung said "I could not bring myself to tell her Eunuch Tsui has forgotten her. I still kept her dreams alive, because that is the only way she can survive in there" and so Heung Fau kept the socks in a trunk where many items were in there also, I assume made by Fook Nga for eunuch Tsui. Then Heung Fau teased Bak Yeung that Concubine Fook seemed to make stuff that were rather suitable for young man and not old man like her godfather and Bak Yeung just smiled and told Heung Fau to stop teasing.

Is Bak Yeung in love with Fook Nga or simply pity her? I believe he likes her and pities her. I think this was why he was so helpful with Yee Soon. In Yee Soon he saw Fook Nga and he kept advising Yee Soon so that she doesn't end up like Fook Nga. Today's episode shows the good side of Bak Yeung who did what he did without any conditions attached to it. Curious though, how come later he didn't fall for Yee Soon first instead he fell for Yuk Ying? I find him having more reason to love Yee Soon that Yuk Ying. Anyway great advancement for Bak Yeung and Onn Sin's character.

Performances wise, Sheren Tang is still the scheming mean Yu Fei. Not much to do yet.

Maggie Cheung excels tonight with her inner conflicts and showed first class acting. I love her in here and I love the fact that she no longer moves her head when talking or pointing left right and centre like she did in other series. Excellent performance.

Charmaine Sheh did well to show the more concerned side of Yee Soon but really she had little to do than to look blank, worried and well different variation of worried. But to me that's good enough as my expectation is lower than usual. I enjoy the stories more so I tend to let the not so good performances go by as long as the necessary facial expression is there. Another actress would have given Yee Soon more substance, more conflict, more human side. By the way, Jade Leung looks more like same age sister of Charmaine Sheh rather than older sister. And if Sook Ling is 18 (as mentioned by Mrs Tsui) so Yee Soon must be 18 and lower. Sorry to say everybody is too old for their roles but never mind, I'll just let it go.

Bowie was wonderful tonight and shared very good chemistry with Charmaine Sheh.

Gigi Lai thankfully had little scenes tonight BUT that one scene she was in again she overacted.

I am beginning to enjoy Moses' performance. Like Charmaine, another actor may give Hung Mo more personality but in Moses' standard, it is good enough. I like the look of recognition when he heard Siu Luk Tzi said something about the handkerchief when Onn Sin dragged him away. I like the scenes between Moses and Maggie, both of then are surprisingly well matched and shared an irresistable chemistry together.

Loh Hoi Pang, no need to say is wonderful. Wong Tak Bun is ok, a bit bland and expressionless but since he is not so important, it's bearable.

Tonight is a showcase of strong plot with more intrigue and tension than other episodes. It is not much about bitching against one another but involves something deeper thanks to Yu Fei's character. Onn Sin has from the 1st scene become my favourite character and I am beginning to like Bak Yeung as well. Concubine Fook looks sad and interesting and it would be interesting to see her story and how it ends. I am sure it ends in tragedy.

Next 5 episodes will be jam packed with tension. Right now I can't see how Yu Fei can be redeemed because she is such a bitch. I really am hoping to see her fall from grace and I think as the Empress I too will push her down from her high horse. But I also know Onn Sin's grandma will die in the hands of the Empress. It would be interesting to see how that is done and what Onn Sin and Yu Fei will do.

The plot thickens. Unfortunately the performances, except for those highlighted is either average or mediocre. Sad isn't it?

Tonight is also great because finally Hung Mo knew Onn Sin was the one he was looking for but like I said, I am sure Onn Sin didn't make that pink handkerchief so the mystery person's identity is still a mystery.

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

EPISODE 9

2005-11-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Interesting episode tonight. I don't think I saw Yu Fei in here. Anyway my mind is a bit messy tonight so my recap may be as messy as well.

Yuk Ying met with Bak Yeung and said a whole lot of things but basically in a gist what she meant was "If you don't help me, I will reveal to all about your affair with Yee Soon". Bak Yeung of course said nothing and agreed to help.

What she wanted him to do was quite confusing to me since I can't understand what they were saying. I think it was about the Emperor who will be going for a tour and since Yuk Ying was already of the Tap Ying rank, she could technically sleep with the Emperor. So I guess she wanted to go with the Emperor but..you know the rest here is my own guess. She asked Bak Yeung to make her menstrual cycle go a bit faster as in having her monthly period earlier so Bak Yeung let her drink something but warned her that she may experience huge discomfort and that the Emperor may change his plans. Yuk Ying refused to listen. Am I right? Was it about periods?

Anyway Bak Yeung was successful in helping Yee Soon to get rid of her addiction. Yesterday I did not mention why she took drugs thinking it was to drown her sorrows. Today it was revealed she had asthma and so she took the drugs to control her condition which was actually quite the reverse. Anyway Yee Soon was not appreciative of Bak Yeung's effort but Bak Yeung remained as the ever caring doctor. Of course earlier he had a meeting with eunuch Tsui who kinda threatened him that he must cure Yee Soon if not he will tell everyone about his father taking bribes. Bak Yeung wasn't very pleased with eunuch Tsui and even dared to retort that "You seem concerned about Yee Soon but isn't it the case that if she is useful to you will feel concern about her but when she is of no use you will push her aside?". Eunuch Tsui was silent on this so that meant Bak Yeung was right. Anyway Yee Soon said "Since I am getting better, I am glad I do not have to see you again Doctor" but Bak Yeung reminded Yee Soon that the sand storm (something like that) season was here and reminded her to take extra care. Yee Soon was not appreciative but Bak Yeung reminded her that he did what he had to do on the orders of Eunuch Tsui.

Next scene Yuk Ying was having stomach cramps, really painful one. Onn Sin tried to help by asking for medicine but she was told the medical dept was very busy with preparing the medicine for the Emperor's tour which was rescheduled to an earlier date. Yuk Ying was shocked to hear this and when Bak Yeung arrived, she threw a tantrum, accusing Bak Yeung of lying to her and that Bak Yeung knew what was going on and yet allowed her to take the medicine. That she will tell everyone about his affair with Yee Soon. Bak Yeung cooly retorted "I was merely following your orders my lady, you were the one who insisted on the medicine and so I prepared it. I tried to warn you but you didn't listen. Yee Soon and I are merely doctor-patient relationship, even if you do not believe that I shall not say anything further on that. In any case, you would not be able to sleep with the Emperor even if you're a Tap Ying as Yu Fei will never allow that" and Yuk Ying was lost for words.

I must stop here for awhile.

Yuk Ying was always pretending to be stupid in front of others and she fooled many and in reality she was cunning and shrewd. And yet in front of Bak Yeung where she showed her true colours and yet she seemed dumb and not that shrewd. I think Yuk Ying is someone who thinks she has everything figured out and that everything was as she planned but in actual reality her arrogance is clouding her judgment and Bak Yeung could see right through her. Yuk Ying is quite similar to Yu Fei who thinks she has everything figured out and yet she could never have thought Yuk Ying was pretending to be stupid. But yet the funny thing was that Yuk Ying is stupid in front of Bak Yeung. Quite an irony if this is called irony.

Anyway it was night and Yee Soon went to see eunuch Tsui who advised her to take special care of herself and they discussed about getting rid of Yuk Ying, which was what Yee Soon wanted. As Yee Soon was walking back to her room, the sand storm affected her condition greatly and she was having asthma attack and luckily she saw Bak Yeung. Bak Yeung was not happy that she was wandering at night since she could be punished and she could have died thanks to her condition. Yee Soon was not concerned and tried to brush Bak Yeung away but Bak Yeung angrily said "If you do not care about your own health, how am I going to help you?". Which was true. Yee Soon angrily went back to her room and left something on the floor which Bak Yeung picked up and saw it was those fortune teller's pink slips from the temples. Bak Yeung then went to Eunuch Tsui's home but he wasn't there. Instead he met with Mrs Tsui and frankly said to Mrs Tsui that "I would hope Madam would remind eunuch Tsui not to see Yee Soon in the night during sand storms. She was not well and luckily I saw her and if he wants her to get well soon please no more such meetings." and Bak Yeung gave her the pink slip and said "If Yee Soon wants peace of mind, I would advise her that going to temples will not help much, it is better she does more good deeds which will give her the peace of mind she wants". Bak Yeung was about to leave when Mrs Tsui with concern said that "Yee Soon has always been a very sensitive person. She was separated from her older sister many years before and Yee Soon has never got over the pain of separation. And with what happened with Sook Ling and Yuen Kei, I know what she had to do and what happened is hurting her very much as she places above all else her love for her siblings. I have hoped to give her that peace of mind which is why I often go to temples and seek guidance with these pink slips. You must understand her and I hope in spite of everything that is happening, you will do your utmost to help Yee Soon to get through these difficult times" and Bak Yeung was looking like "really?!" and Mrs Tsui knew and Mrs Tsui asked "Do you not believe me sir? Do you not believe what I told you?" and Bak Yeung said "Madam, I believe if she is of use to you you will feel concern for her but when she is of no use you would oush her aside and she shall be forgotten. Am I correct? I am afraid I may have crossed the line today but I have said what I have meant to say." and Bak Yeung left.

Curious scene as Bak Yeung mentioned they have forgotten about someone. Anyway very good scene and it has my vote as the most memorable scene for today's episode.

Once back in the palace, Bak Yeung asked his assistant to prepare some herbs but it was not for some patient's use. And he carried along a golden pouch and walked alone to this dirty looking building where the sand storm was blowing harshly. He opened the door and asked for I think Fook Kuai Yan (Concubine Fook) and the wind blew all those paper cuttings (how to say this? You know those paper you cut into shapes and patterns? I will call it paper cuts) flying all over and then Concubine Fook (Jade Leung) appeared. Bak Yeung chatted with Fook Nga in a friendly way and mentioned "Hasn't the servants been around to clean your place?" and Fook Nga looked quite embarrassed I guess as she answered "It is because of the sand storm, that this place is messy. They do come around but the sand storm causes it to become messy again". And then Fook Nga was busy cutting the paper she was holding when she said "I believe sir you may be having some trouble. I remember you could always identify the ingrediants I put into the tea I served you but today you're silent on this" and Bak Yeung smiled at her ability to see right through him. And then he gave to Fook Nga, supposedly a sickly concubine who has lost favour of the Emperor and now officially I guess in cold palace, a puch full of expensive colourful papers and said "Eunuch Tsui sent this to you and sent his regards". Fook Nga looked mournful and said "Godfather still remembers me despite my circumstances, it is very kind of him".

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh now I see why Bak Yeung was so pissed earlier on because Eunuch and Mrs Stui forgotten about Fook Nga!! Very strange because Mrs Tsui acted like she didn't know what he was saying. Anyway I know Fook Nga is the sister of Yee Soon thanks to the cast list but strange how come Yee Soon never mentioned her sister and herself both became the god daughters of eunuch Tsui? Maybe she didn't know? Anyway Fook Nga looked like a gentle person and Bak Yeung seemed genuinely concerned about her. Question is why? Later episodes I am sure we shall know.

Anyway that scene ended with Fook Nga giving to Bak Yeung the paper cutting she made and he accepted happily.

Next we have Hung Mo and Chan Song who were given menial jobs of feeding the crows by the eunuch who was very angry that they climbed over his I think some relative. Hung Mo did it without complaints but Chan Song was not happy. You know I do think Chan Song will one day cause Hung Mo problems with his honesty and complaints. Anyway as he was feeding the crows high up whilst holding on to the pole he heard someone playing the flute. He was mesmerized.

Computer graphic zoomed to Onn Sin playing the flute.

I must stop here again. I believe Maggie Cheung was really actually playing the flute in that scene because it looked very very real.

Anyway Onn Sin was very worried about her grandma who never turned up that day. Siu Luk Tzi then told her that her grandma fell sick on her way to Beijing and now needed money for medicine. Onn Sin decided to sell her handicraft outside of palace but this was forbidden. Siu Luk Tzi volunteered to get some eunuch to assist her but that eunuch wanted 50% of the profit. I think she agreed.

Before that the same eunuch was caught by Hung Mo and Chan Song leaving the palace with jade pieces but Hung Mo was scolded by I think another guard for butting into other people's business and the eunuch was let off. Hung Mo then realised eunuchs often go out of palace to sell stuff, sometimes things stolen from the palace for profit. No one says anything as everyone is involved.

Hung Mo approached that eunuch and suggested some ways to avoid detection and he became an accomplice. Very brave of him. Anyway amongst the items he saw the handkerchief and he bought it as he recognised the sewing as same as the one he had and he asked the eunuch who sew that but the eunuch told him to mind his own business.

I think that was the last scene. Can't remember the preview for tomorrow. Like I said my mind a bit messy tonight.

Content wise tonight is interesting. I like how Bak Yeung is developing into a very shrewd character that is not afraid to voice his opinion even if he is stuck in some situation and Bowie is clearly getting familiar with the lines. Excellent performance.

Jade Leung appears tonight. I quite like her since she is a good actress, quite pretty but her problem is I find her speech very difficult to understand as she does not speak her lines clearly. Anyway at least some other person who can act is a good thing.

Maggie Cheung had little scenes today but she did well as usual. Right now her character is going nowhere and it may be mean to hope for this but I hope her grandma dies soon because I am sure then her character will move somewhere. I wonder when Hung Mo will know Onn Sin was the girl he was looking for?

A question though; why Onn Sin ignored Hung Mo and Chan Song when she met them halfway? Because she was concerned about her grandma? Anyway Chan Song thought she was snubbing them because of their lowly status.

Wai Kah Hung is good but I am bored with his ever complaining character. I do feel Hung Mo can do better by sending Chan Song back to hometown because Chan Song's direct and honest personality will hurt Hung Mo's ambition.

Moses Chan is doing quite well as the ambitious Hung Mo. So far nothing dramatic for his character and so Moses need not do much. But Hung Mo is one scary character; he is so ambitious he is willing to cross the lines of decency sometimes to create opportunities for himself. Wonder how much will he be willing to cross?

Gigi Lai does not overact today since no major drama for her to overact in. When she settles and just act normally, she is quite ok. I like the scene where she thinks she is so smart when Bak Yeung is smarter. Quite a chemistry she has with Bowie Lam.

But Bowie Lam has a better chemistry with Charmaine Sheh who probably delivered a very good performance tonight because she is not required to do any heavy duty emotional acting. Tonight Yee Soon is very subdued, sulky and doesn't scream nor shout. And this is the type of scenes Charmaine excels in but what I don't understand is why her Yee Soon keeps pushing Bak Yeung aside when she knows that Bak Yeung is there because of Eunuch Tsui? Inconsistency a bit here and there but Charmaine did well.

Overall good episode as we know more about the characters and their pasts although I find some bits rather strange, like all of a sudden threw one hint here and there like not connected at all. Like Fook Nga's situation and Eunuch Tsui seems pretty blur about Fook Nga.

Anyway I am just happy that Gigi Lai is not required to open her eyes big big and talk with that asthmatic voice. The more I see her the more I would have hoped Anne Heung had been offered this role since both talks with that asthmatic voice but Anne at least tried to lessen it but Gigi seems to make it sound worse!

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

EPISODE 8

2005-11-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

A good episode in two ways; the characters begin to take shape and have real personalities instead of just scheming and I am beginning to understand why Gigi Lai overacts which in her definition may not be overacting. First the recap. Not much happened today but enough for significant stuff to take shape for future episodes.

Strangely today did not start with the fate of Sook Ling. In fact this series has a habit of dispensing with characters like used tissues; once served its purpose you are not bothered at all how you discard with the said tissue. I find that disappointing because first there is no real closure as everything happened through narration and you must pay extra attention if not you will miss that narration, mostly a one line comment and also because of no consistency with the next scene. So what happened to Sook Ling? As later told by Eunuch Tsui, Sook Ling was banished from the palace and deemed a mad woman.

We start with Yuk Ying meeting Yu Fei in the garden. Yu Fei told her in her face that the fan Yuk Ying was holding was an insult to Yu Fei as it implies through the poem that Yu Fei's time was over and Yuk Ying's time was soon arriving. That was the hand held fan that Sook Ling changed earlier, though the scene was not shown BUT was narrated. Anyway, the camera suddenly focused on Yuk Ying's big doey eyes which was really filling up with big drops of tears and as Yu Fei said what would happen to Yuk Ying she cried and immediately knelt and begged for forgiveness for basically being stupid. But Yu Fei took the fan and threw it away and said to Yuk Ying she was cool with that fan and that Yuk Ying should be more careful in future as beautiful women do tend to be harmed quite a lot. Yuk Ying was grinning like an idiot.

Next the eunuch and Po Shim asked Yu Fei "Why my lady did not punish her since the opportunity and the evidence were all there?" and Yu Fei simply reasoned "I actually thought she was cunning but then we discover about the switched medicine incident. Then I thought she planned Yuen Kei's downfall but then there was the 2nd anonymous letter and Sook Ling's confession about Yuen Kei in the hall the other day. So I realise Yuk Ying is beautiful, but she is also stupid. And such a beautiful but stupid woman is surely useful. Like what the Empress always do in the past, I shall make Yuk Ying my ally and she shall serve the Emperor on my behalf. I shall look generous and yet I shall gain from this union between Yuk Ying and Emperor as I could control her and teach her. Moreover, I am not getting any younger, the Emperor will one day discard me but at least then I will have Yuk Ying under my control and direction".

Ahhh how little does Yu Fei knew of Yuk Ying!

Next scene Yuk Ying was running happily straight into her mother's arms and Onn Sin saw this display of affection and was smiling to herself. Even Onn Sin was fooled but truth be told that affection was real. Yuk Ying was very happy to see her mother and we are then told why she went into the palace and her plan about Yu Fei.

"Yu Fei gave me this fan and she wants to make me her puppet", said Yuk Ying in a more subdued way. Her mother said in a worried tone "My daughter, I am worried for you. You must be careful in the palace ..." and Yuk Ying said "Mother, you do not have to worry about me. I know what to do. Remember when you married father? Father's first wife wanted to make you her puppet but you refused and that was a mistake as the other concubines ganged up together to fight you. Now your status is low in the family. Yu Fei was doing exactly what first wife did to you but this time I am smarter. Why shouldn't I just pretend to be stupid and let her use me if that would distract her attention? Mother, do not be worried about me." and then Yuk Ying's mom gave Yuk Ying her last batch of savings. Yes, her mother's status is low in the family and she is also poor because she pawned all her money for Yuk Ying's cause. I assume her mother and Yuk Ying were ignored in the family. This is the other side of Yuk Ying that I am sure the series will build on in later episodes. Then eunuch of Yu Fei came and invited them both to the hall by Yu Fei's order for their reunion.

Next we have Yee Soon walking along the garden with the other concubines and Yee Soon bumped into Eunuch Tsui who has returned to the palace. At night Yee Soon went to see the eunuch and immediately knelt before him asking for forgiveness, for kicking Sook Ling out and that she couldn't help it because she wanted to give Yuen Kei some justice. The eunuch was not angry and encouraged Yee Soon to buck up and Yee Soon tearfully promised she will buck up.

But she didn't as eunuch Tsui's wife was washing his feet when she mentioned that Yee Soon was taking more I think drugs of some sort from the eunuch but eunuch Tsui said Yee Soon explained it was for Sook Ling. But the wife mentioned she knew about this after Sook Ling was banished and she was worried Yee Soon who was always placing more importance to sibling-hood than personal gain may be slowly destroying herself by becoming an addict to drown her guilt and sorrow. Eunuch Tsui was worried and so he met up with Bak Yeung and asked Bak Yeung to get Yee Soon better. Bak Yeung refused as this was improper as this was considered private medical consultation which was forbidden in the palace but eunuch Tsui kinda mentioned that ever since the Emperor toppled the corrupted eunuch He Shen many years before, the Emperor was still searching for He Shen's gang and Eunuch Tsui said rumour has it Senior Dr Suen was in the payroll of He Shen and he himself has received bribes. The Emperor has yet to reach this stage of investigation and so what eunuch Tsui meant was do it or I will tell! Bak Yeung still loves his father and had no choice but to say yes. I pity him sometimes being pushed around but he always finds way to avoid bigger troubles.

Anyway Hung Mo's brother, Chan Song was drunk and was spreading the news that the eunuch cheated their money in the promise of some position in the palace. The eunuch was not pleased and when he saw the handkerchief that Hung Mo found in the 2nd hand costume he bought in several episodes before, he said silk and good sewing skills meant this was from the palace and Hung Mo stole it. And so Hung Mo and brother was beaten relentlessly until Senior Suen passed by and told the eunuch "You have achieved your purpose of punishing them, you must stop now if not I can't guarantee they won't die and that this won't harm you..." and so Hung Mo and brother were sacked. Senior Suen was very kind to Hung Mo and brother and even attend to their injuries when he saw the handkerchief and read the sorrowful poem. Hung Mo asked what the poem was about and senior Suen asked where he found this and Hung Mo said some dead soldier's costume in a 2nd hand shop and senior Suen said "This was probably sewn by someone in the palace so that someone outside of the palace may be able to see this and make fateful contact." and Hung Mo asked "So the maid is still alive and in the palace?" and Senior Suen said "Does it matter whether the maid is from this dynasty or the one before or the one next? Their fate is still the same. You may wish to seek out the person who sewn the poem to express her sorrow of her life in the palace but what use it is if you found her? Her fate has been predestined. Go home my friend, leave this place that is full of gossips, it is not for you". Hung Mo thought otherwise.

When Hung Mo returned, Chan Song was eager to leave. However during the night a lightning supposedly hit the ancestral shrine and it was on fire. Chan Song was busy saving the fire when he saw Hung Mo ran into the shrine despite his protests and Hung Mo paused only for a second as he stood in the dangerous fire in the building and his hand reached for something.

Next scene he who was badly injured but alive was carried into Bak Yeung's clinic and Bak Yeung recognised him. He saw Hung Mo was clucthing the Emperor's ancestral tablet and the Emperor knew of this and was very touched by Hung Mo's bravery. The Empress volunteered to pray and become a vegetarian for I think 10 days and the Emperor said "My Empress, you and Yu Fei both have the same thought and I am very pleased" and the Empress was surprised to hear Yu Fei suggested this first before her and she pretended to be cool about it but we all know she wasn't. Anyway the Emperor expressed his concern about Hung Mo and one more who saved the tablet (actually only Hung Mo but I think Hung Mo lied and said Chan Song was involved too) and the Empress said perhaps they should be given a position in the palace.

And so Hung Mo became a palace guard, given money and some ginseng as well. That eunuch who beat them now had to kow tow to them whilst Hung Mo was very happy of the turn of events. He even arrogantly insisted Bak Yeung wash his wounded leg and Bak Yeung did it as he said "Because you saved the ancertral tablet and I should do my duty" and Hung Mo said "You are always smiling aren't you? You will remember my name, Hung Mo" and Bak Yeung just smiled the way he always do. Does he know Hung Mo's secret? I wonder...

Anyway Chan Song came to see Hung Mo and quietly Hung Mo confessed that he set the building on fire and took a big gamble and he won. Chan Song wasn't very happy to hear this but said nothing more.

Wahhhh Hung Mo so brave actually. I wonder did he save the flute? I think not... Anyway at last his story is moving forward.

Next scene Bak Yeung was attending to Yee Soon and he told off Yee Soon that "Your face is pale, your heart beat is irregular" and Yee Soon was very defensive and said "It was because of your medicine so why not ask your own people?" and Bak Yeung said "If you continue to take what you took (I really do not know what's the name. Is it opium?), you will die, you're asthmatic!" and Yee Soon said "Get out! I don't need you to tell me this! Get out!" and then she fainted. When she woke up, her dress was lowered and she was lying on her stomach on the bed as Bak Yeung finished with the acupuncture. Yee Soon saw her dress like opened and was shocked and wanted to say something when Yuk Ying knocked on her door and Bak Yeung quickly closed the bed by putting the veil over it and Yee Soon wanted to open it but Bak Yeung said Yee Soon is not that well and Yee Soon also agreed and so Yuk Ying left but Bak Yeung he was in deep trouble since we know Yuk Ying is cunning. Anyway when she left, Bak Yeung went to Yee Soon and Yee Soon slapped him. Yee Soon said "How dare you?" and Bak Yeung said "If I didn't do what I did, you would have died" and Yee Soon said "It is none of your business whether I live or die!" and Bak Yeung said "It is indeed none of my concern but it is the concern of Eunuch Tsui. I could help you with your addiction but you will have to heal your own emotional wounds".

When Bak Yeung left, he was met half way by a smiling Yuk Ying.

Tomorrow Yuk Ying will threaten Bak Yeung and I am sure she will fail yet again.

This is like the 3rd time the series ended with a sly looking Yuk Ying.

Anyway good episode as it highlighted Yee Soon's trouble, Bak Yeung's difficulties, the compassion of senior Suen, Hung Mo's desparation and Yuk Ying's more real side of her. I am doubtful of the charges against senior Suen, doesn't look like him to behave the way Tsui said he did many years before. The kindness he showed on Hung Mo was a nice touch. I wonder does Hung Mo know that was Bak Yeung's father? Maybe he won't be so arrogant and mean to Bak Yeung who was patient enough to take all snide remarks. I think he treats Hung Mo like a fried. But seriously, Chan Hung Lit's voice should have been dubbed. The story about the sorrowful maid sewing the handkerchief and the poem was lost to me since I can't understand many words he was saying, not because my cantonese is weak but because seriously, his pronunciation is way off.

Character wise it is interesting to note that everybody underestimates Yuk Ying, except for Bak Yeung who seems to see things more clearly. Even Yu Fei was stupid enough to fall for Yuk Ying's I am innocent act and I guess that was her first major mistake and the start of her downfall. And Yuk Ying was smart enough to play along.

Yee Soon is a bit boring tonight since she was still grieving but didn't make sense; one second she declared to Tsui she will buck up in very determined eyes and next she was drugging herself to death. Not much consistency and continuity.

Performance wise, Charmaine Sheh did well tonight except for the drugged out scene as in looking sick and pale and all. I mean clutching your chest and breathing fast isn't really a true performance of someone who is supposed to be really dying and sick. She faltered in these seriously dramatic scenes that may require some technical knowledge but all else she did ok.

Bowie was excellent tonight. I am very happy he is adjusting to the role now and no longer reciting his lines. His Bak Yeung is shrewd and smart and cunning and yet not cunning or shrewd enough to avoid getting stuck into serious problems.

Maggie one scene only today so no comment.

Wai Kah Hung was wonderful was the jittery Chan Song but it does get tiring to see him jittery all the time.

Rebecca Chan was excellent as the Empress. Noticed her expression when she was told Yu Fei suggested being a vegetarian for 1 week first before her. Classic moment. Anyway her costume was the best tonight. Wow was my only reaction.

Sheren Teng is still in the "I am arrogant and over confident" stage so nothing much to do, yet. I am a bit sick of her over confidence actually. But she's good.

Gigi Lai is tolerable tonight except for that scene where she was begging Yu Fei. I mean yeah her eyes was expression and the speed in which she cried was really fast and that the fact the camera quickly zoomed to her eyes was really an indication that she was required to act with her eyes in that difficult scene. But it was inadequate for me. I mean even before Yu Fei reached the main point of the fan, her eyes was welling up. You may say she was reading the poem as Yu Fei spoke and so it may dawn on her she was holding something libellous BUT I thought she jumped the gun by a full 5 seconds. She should take some more time to look confused and then panic and then cry all she was worth. That scene make her look calculative and planned. I have no doubt she knew she was carrying a fan that was switched and that she planned it all to show how dumb she was before Yu Fei. But that would be like giving too much credit to Yuk Ying isn't it? Is she that smart? Is she that cunning? Can she accurately predict Yu Fei's reaction when Yu Fei is unpredictable? Like that blue costume incident. Surely she wouldn't have know Yu Fei would wear red. Many incidents like these. Anyway I shall take this progression of her character with a pinch of salt. Her better scene was when with Lily Lee as she calmed down a bit but when the eunuch appeared her smile was so wide and she went back to perky stupid Yuk Ying. Like I said earlier, I believe this was Gigi's interpretation.

You see I guess she wanted to make the differences between innocent and cunning very clear and so as innocent Yuk Ying she overacts and was like overexcited. As cunning Yuk Ying she calmed down a bit and talked in a lower pitched voice but still as over excited. In part a brilliant strategy to show 2 sides of Yuk Ying clearly and also because Gigi is herself sometimes an over the top type of actress. But to me her strategy backfired because her performance was annoying to the core. So fake when we should be kept guessing. And with plot holes also her character's actions becomes inconsistent and like I said too much of a fortune teller who can predict everything. Yuk Ying really is shrewd but like Bak Yeung said, not the most shrewd. In my opinion still a bad performance.

I was having dinner with my friends tonight and one of my friend mentioned many names who could play Yu Fei. Sheren is a wonderful actress, but not the best. She is lucky to be given to this role which she did well but I do wonder, how would other actresses would have intepreted this role? Below is my alternative casting suggested by my friend and agreed by me for reasons that is purely technical; their interpretation may be different and may be more interesting but not to say the original cast is really so very bad...

Yu Fei
First name was the retired Florence Kwok. I agree. She would make Yu Fei coming across as harsh but cunning, deceptive and smart and this woman can really act. A pity she retired. Moreover she will not get this role since she was always a second liner.

Second name was Hong Wah which was my first choice until I heard Florence's name. Hong Wah is the right age I guess and also she is very pretty. Best is she is very good in those deceptive roles and she tends to recite her lines in her soft feminine voice but yet manage to give that voice some lethal power to it. A fantastic actress but always sidelined so she will never have gotten this role.

Third name was again a retired actress Mariane Chen. She can definitely give Yu Fei a sympathetic but harsh perspective. A pity she retired.

Empress
Rebecca Chan was excellent. But what about ... what's her name? That mad woman in Burning Flame (wife of Chun Pui)? Her eyes can be deadly.

Bak Yeung
Kong Wah could do this role and I could understand 3 women in love with him since Kong Wah can play a scholarly type and still maintain a cunning shrewd personality, if he doesn't do the catwalk walk. But I am happy with Bowie.

Hung Mo
Wong Hei is fantastic actor and he looks the part but too thin and too short. But acting would be better. Moses to me is ok lar.

Yee Soon/Yuk Ying
Very difficult. My friend's choice is interesting as it is controversial. For one she said Sherming Yiu should have been given one of these roles, either one will do since she is a competent actress, young, pretty but alas always sidelined. And she wondered how come Anne Heung wasn't involved? I wondered too since Anne Heung was always favoured for big productions, more so ancient types. Whilst we all agree Anne Heung is not a fantastic actress and sometimes may not be a competent one, we all agree she looks great in qipaos (hence in manchurian dress also will look great), she has the pretty looks (not quite these days since she has lost weight, she has the soft gentle voice (that I disagree since her voice can be annoying) and the most important factor, she has this natural elegance and sophistication. She should have been Yuk Ying. I kinda agree in some ways because I could see Anne as Yuk Ying and moreover acting wise she won't be that far worse than Gigi Lai anyway. My friend said more importantly...well I quote her..

"Ok, she may not be the most beautiful actress, she may not be the best actress ...I saw this show with her standing next to Mandy Cho. Mandy Cho is pretty but Anne Heung has a face I could remember even when I saw her only once. She has a memorable face and really she looks fantastic in ancient series..but I do think she may be too tall.."

Good choice.

My other choice is Leung Siu Bung for either one of these roles. I mean since everybody is so old I am sure Leung can fit into the age group by not looking too young or too old. But I am not sure how she looks now.

But I do agree on Anne Heung for either Yee Soon or Yuk Ying. If I have my way, I would say Anne for Yuk Ying, Charmaine remains for Yee Soon and I will squeeze in Sherming somewhere.
You may not agree with me but I have no doubt my choice of cast will still create a hit series since this series was a hit not because of who's in it but the story itself. This series boasts not who is better than who but who is worse than who. I find the acting generally mediocre thus far.

As for Maggie Cheung, she remains.

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

EPISODE 7

2005-10-31T20:33:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to write tonight's recap because it's a good one.

Interesting the first scene did not start with Sook Ling or Yee Soon or even the fate of Yuen Kei. It started with a very happy and excited looking Onn Sin (kinda missed her not seeing her in last night's episode) running to the big door and we hear a narration that the maids are only allowed to see their families once every few years. Onn Sin wrote to her grandma but sadly enough the grandma didn't come probably because she was too late in arriving at Beijing. She was the last one standing when suddenly the announcer called out the name of the dead maid and Onn Sin realised her parents were there. The eunuchs quickly ran to the parents and delivered the bad news. Onn Sin saw the maid's old father crumbling to the floor as the old mother fell too. Onn Sin could only hold back her tears.

Very sad scene.

Next we see Hung Mo being beaten by several people as an eunuch looked on and his buddy, Chan Song was hiding I think behind a tree, looking scared. Then we found out why; Hung Mo paid this eunuch bribe for a better and higher ranking job but the eunuch "ate" the money and since eunuch was backed by some powerful relative, he didn't really care if Hung Mo complained to everyone about him. After all he was just a lowly servant.

After they were gone Chan Song flew into a rage when he realised Hung Mo used up their savings and Chan Song blamed Hung Mo for dreaming beyond his own capacity and Chan Song ran away in anger.

Meanwhile, a gloomy looking Hung Mo went into the shrine (apparently shrine for ancestors of the Emperor which was interesting that any "pig, cat & dogs" can go in and have a conversation in there as well)and he saw Onn Sin burning paper money. Onn Sin was grieving for her friend, that maid who died whilst Hung Mo was grieving about his lack of luck. Onn Sin said to Hung Mo in what was really a very heartfelt conversation about their lowly status that he should stop dreaming and go home since "you're free to go away as you like beyond these walls whilst we, the servants in here do not have that luxury" and Hung Mo sarcastically retorted that "We are of no different from one another, whether behind these walls or outside because a lowly servant is still a lowly servant anywhere". But Onn Sin confessed that "I can't even pray for the soul of my dead friend. I thought it matters whether my friend's parents received her body or her ashes, but I was wrong. I saw her parents today and I realised I was wrong and in the end I did nothing for her, I could do nothing. We the servants must die happily if it is the command of our servant, we must accept our fate without question" and Hung Mo said "No, why should we? Why should only the ancestors of the Emperor be the only souls fit to be given respect in this shrine? Even in death aren't we servants human beings too? No, I won't accept that" and he boldly took out the flute that the maid was carrying (which actually belonged to Onn Sin) and hid in underneath the table where the what do you call those? Name plates? Anyway where those things were and said "From now on every time the Emperor bows and pays respect to his ancestors, he shall pay respect to *the maid's name here*". Frankly I can't remember her name. Was it Sou Ying? Onn Sin was shocked at his bravado but I guess she appreciated his intentions.

A very good scene. This scene would have my vote as the most memorable tonight and I always find the conversation between Onn Sin and Hung Mo very profound, and I kept nodding my head as how true what they were saying. Very real conversation even if the idea that they could walk in and out of the shrine without question at any time is beyond me. Still very good scene.

Next story shifted to Yee Soon.

Yuk Ying was healing fast as Onn Sin was now responsible for all medicine to be given to the candidates. Yuk Ying sincerely (though I doubt it) said to Onn Sin a big sorry as she had been rude to her and disbelieved Onn Sin's advice that the palace can be one cruel place and Onn Sin said Yuen Kei will probably be thrown to outer state and will serve the rest of her life as maids in various households. Yuk Ying gave Onn Sin money so that she could bribe the guards to given Yuen Kei lesser hard times. Onn Sin was rather touched by Yuk Ying's very false gesture. Yeah, so fake! Anyway then Yuk Ying asked what Bak Yeung liked as she wanted to give him a present to thank him and Onn Sin said "I think you better not give him any gifts since many concubines have given him more expensive gifts, I don't think he wants any". By the way Onn Sin doesn't really know Bak Yeung that well.

Still Yuk Ying went ahead and sent to the medical dept a very expensive gift and a big ang pow. Senior Dr Bak was not pleased and he tracked down Bak Yeung having his wine on board of some sampan with 2 women and the more he shouted after him the more Bak Yeung walked away. In the end Senior Suen huffed and puffed and told Bak Yeung about the gift. Bak Yeung was surprised and senior Suen said it was unwise to accept such gifts since everybody knew Yu Fei wouldn't be too pleased about it and he was courting trouble for accepting a gift from a candidate.

Bak Yeung swiftly returned the gift to Yuk Ying and Yuk Ying asked why? and Bak Yeung wisely said "You should know that medical consultation in the palace is free" and Yuk Ying quickly changed her expression from innocently shocked to cunning surprised and said "Why you can give favours to all other concubines except me?" and Yuk Ying quickly threw herself at him and tore open his costume and then jumped away and slyly said "I will report that you tried to take advantage of me..after all I saw your mole on your chest" and Bak Yeung said "Didn't you know moles can be removed?...There are many cunning concubines in this palace and I have seen my fair share of them. You do not need my help since you're cunning enough to help yourself but you're not the most cunning I have ever met" and Yuk Ying looked genuinely lost for words and then Yuk Ying said "You have my word, one day I would be the Emperor's favourite concubine and when that day comes you will be rewarded for doing me favours" and Bak Yeung retorted and said "There are many concubines in this palace, I am afraid I may not live long enough to see that day" (cue: meaning Yuk Ying probably won't be a concubine or a favourite of the Emperor's) and Yuk Ying then walked to the side of the door and opened her dress and let Bak Yeung see her ermm green undergarment (which was really too much in those days) and Bak Yeung was very embarassed and Yuk Ying smiled and said "I could see you are a man and you could not resist me..how would you think the Emperor would feel when he sees me like this? It would be wise for you to help me and do me favours because one day you will see rewards for doing so" and Bak Yeung just stood there like an idiot thinking "what should I do?!??!??!?! Eh she's right mah! Yu Fei is old mah!". If you'rw wondering how come she can take her clothes off in public, she was standing behind one half of the door where she was shielded. Clever scene if you ask me. So what will Bak Yeung DO???

Next Bak Yeung sent medicine to Yee Soon who was looking very pale, unhappy and gloomy. Bak Yeung was always very honest with her about how he felt about Yee Soon since he thought she ratted on Yuen Kei to make her the scapegoat. So he said "I do not understand you. You have achieved your goal, you have found a scapegoat but you act as if you have a guilty conscience." and Yee Soon was too sad for words and merely and weakly said something I forgot and then Bak Yeung said "If you must know, Yuen Kei died on her way to outer state as she was being escorted out (earlier Yuk Ying told this to Sook Ling who told Yuk Ying to hide the secret, I thought it was a lie but then Bak Yeung confirmed it, poor Yuen Kei)" and then Yee Soon was so shocked that she bursts into tears and Bak Yeung said "If you feel responsible for her death, then you must take this medicine and live on because only by living can you receive your punishment by your conscience" and Bak Yeung left and Yee Soon cried and cried and cried. Bak Yeung was quite mean to Yee Soon if you ask me.

Next scene we know the lusty old Emperor shall be choosing his concubines giving them one rank up, the title of which I do not know and do not care. I just care that I would have to suffer the acting of Yu Yeung who looks nothing like an Emperor. I pity the women having to kiss him and all and I hope I won't see those scenes. Anywa Yu Fei was having a bath and we see her ugly stretch mark on her stomach. Then we see her having this cold war by words with the Empress who mentioned that "My dear sister, you look radiant!" and Yu Fei said "So do you my sister" and the Empress smilingly said "Ahh no I do not..I could not escape the ravages of time, and my dear sister neither could you ...The Emperor loves your small waist my dear sister, I do hope you could keep it small after giving birth to the lovely princess" and then promptly handed over some bottle of cream into the face of Yu Fei (very funny, because the Empress seems rather generous with gifts that we know Yu Fei will never use). Yu Fei looked worried and then said "Well the Emperor shall be choosing the concubines soon my sister" and now the Empress looked worried. Anyway the Empress also mentioned Yuk Ying's name and Yu Fei looked worried. Basically this scene is who is more worried looking. Rather boring.

Next we see Yuk Ying running into Sook Ling's room and having a friendly conversation with Sook Ling and giving Sook Ling a burner (?) with incense in it to calm her mind. Sook Ling thought nothing of it until at night she began to hear things and see imaginary moths. And that coupled with a rather half mad Yee Soon who was grieving for Yuen Kei that kinda spooked Sook Ling. Let me say this; I knew from the moment Yee Soon went bonkers that she pretended to go bonkers because it was all so FAKE. Bad acting if you ask me or maybe..you know I'll explain more later.

Sook Ling realised she was imagining things and she quickly suspected the burner and accused Yuk Ying of being evil and fakest of the fakest fakes of the fakeville. Yuk Ying protested her innocence to deaf years.

That day everybody prepared to model walk (yeah they were walking that way) to see the Emperor when Sook Ling started to see moths. Poor girl...NOT!

Where was I? Oh yeah comeuppance time. Before that, Sook Ling asked an eunuch to give an anonymous letter to someone and that someone gave it to Yu Fei who deemed this as a favour given as the letter implied that they must look out for a fan with treachery type of poem sewn on it and that person is Yuk Ying. Yu Fei wanted to get rid of Yuk Ying anyway so tomorrow we shall see if she succeeded and you and I know of course not!

Once in the big hall, there the Emperor gave jades to those he liked (so one rank up) and I think flowers to those he doesn't like (I guess go home?) and Yuk Ying got the first jade. The rest we never know because right then Sook Ling went bonkers as she heard things and saw moths and was running around madly and the Eunuchs was trying to catch her when she bumped into Yee Soon and Yee Soon said "My dear sister, are you alright?" and Sook Ling asked "Yee Soon, why are you here?" and Yee Soon said "Yee Soon couldn't be here and said I should be here" and Sook Ling thought Yuen Kei entered the body of Yee Soon. Anyway there she was running around madly and Yee Soon was standing behind the huge pillar and she was silently crying and yet also smiling. Then we see flashbacks of some repeated scenes which was boring until we see Yee Soon putting something into Sook Ling's tea (so Yuk Ying was innocent after all!) that made her imagine stuff and last scene was Yee Soon sitting alone in her room with her chin on her hands as she slowly pushed the marbles (that Yuen Kei loved to play when she was alive) to the floor, which was the sound Sook Ling heard and tearfully said "I promise you, I will not give up, I will survive in this palace".

Tomorrow we shall see how Hung Mo got his big break.

Tonight's episode is interesting because we see the more deceptive side of Yuk Ying who is the fakest of the fake, the sincerity of Onn Sin who is probably the only character without an agenda of personal gain and Yee Soon who is not as bad as she first appeared. And right in the middle we have Bak Yeung, the cunning doctor who knew everything and wisely said nothing but still got sucked into the vortex of deception.

No doubt I really like Onn Sin. She is sincere, genuine and many times I emphatise with her. I often find her scenes down to earth and possibly real and very thought provoking and profound. I know why many see her as boring and not useful since she hardly do anything like deceiving people or getting fans by her side and now already episode 7 still a maid. But in her status as the maid and however little scenes she had, every time Onn Sin appears, she gives this series compassion. I am quite bored with all the back stabbing and worries and who will get the Emperor's love scenes, like Yu Fei. In fact I am beginning to get bored with Yu Fei who has TWO types of scenes; worried and mean. Nothing else thus far. Onn Sin gave this series (at least these 7 episodes) a certain sense of reality that I appreciate. And Maggie Cheung was fastastic. I guess you must appreciate a character that did not create so much drama and yet managed to give drama in a more grounded way and I know I am not making sense so I shall move on.

Yu Fei boring. But costume very nice. Empress also nice and scenes interesting, have yet to see the evil Empress.

Hung Mo interesting but am getting tired of his "WHY MUST I BE A SERVANT ONLY" lecture and hopes he gets a promotion soon and get on with his life. Chan Song was more about hysterical drama tonight, but should be as such since money all gone!

Yee Soon is fast becoming a character I am beginning to like. I pity her sometimes, that she may have tried hard to topple Yuk Ying but in the end her happy family of 3 sisters were toppled by the eldest one, Sook Ling and in the end she had to topple Sook Ling because of Yuen Kei which was why she was crying. Imagine sisters for decades and in the end they all ended up like this.

Yuk Ying is one cunning character but not so cunning as Bak Yeung was more cunning. Her scene with him was an eye opener but also showed how desparate she was in finding an ally in her cause. I thought she was going to offer herself to him but of course, she was just showing off the goods. She must remain a virgin for the Emperor, after all. And Yuk Ying is interesting in the sense that she may have been victimised before but now she only had to sit back and see her competitors being slowly taken out one by one by in fighting, for example Yee Soon and gang.

Performance wise, Maggie Cheung Hor Yee definitely exceeded my expectation. Her silent moments with her expressive eyes were the best.

Sheren Teng as usual.

Bowie Lam is now getting used to his lines so he fared much better than before.

Moses is not a great dramatic actor, so basically he was bearable.

June Chan was excellent tonight, the way she spoke her lines was perfect for someone so fake.

Gigi Lai was not that bad tonight but still is the worst. But I think like Charmaine Sheh, this may be due to the thought that "my character is pretending so why not I exceggerate (I hope spelling is right) a bit to make the difference between 2 personalities more believable)" which was really unnecessary because I could see fake written all over and it was amazing Onn Sin didn't see through this Yuk Ying. Her worst scene was not her fault. It was her encounter with Bowie and the camera was so cloe to Gigi's fave, I could see her every wrinkles and lines on her face and suddenly her big eyes and big smiles with poofy red cheeks were really scary looking. She was truly so ugly in that scene I wonder why the camera had to be so close to her face? I repeat the camera angle made her look more ugly than before.

Before I move on to Charmaine, I must note this. In HSDS 2000, Charmaine played Chow Chi Yeuk, the prettiest in the series whilst Gigi Lai was Chiu Man, who was always teasing Cheung Mo Kei about his feelings for Chi Yeuk since Chi Yeuk was so pretty. So that means Chiu Man wasnt as pretty as Chi Yeuk and it is a tradition anyone playing Chi Yeuk must be pretty. And I saw Charmaine in there, she was ravishingly beautiful. Gigi was pretty of course. Now in 2004, we see a reversal of roles. Yuk Ying is supposed to be Chi Yeuk and Yee Soon is Chiu Man. Really it is like HSDS in here.

Anyway I don't agree with the casting in here. Charmaine should have been Yuk Ying and Gigi should be Yee Soon because I feel Charmaine is prettier and her acting when she controls herself is more controlled. But I will admit Charmaine now was not Charmaine 4 years before. A great pity and sometimes I wonder when Charmaine undertook the massive weight loss plan did she ever considered herself pretty before? Because she was prettier before, now many said she looked tired and her face elongated. I have to agree. But her eyes is still as expressive as ever.

And so how did she fare tonight?

Well well well in that scene where she sat there looking gloomy as Bowie's Bak Yeung delivered his stinging lecture Charmaine was very good at those quiet moments of reflection. And then she had to cry. She used to cry so well, so beautifully but nowadays her face just contorted into such a messy look and her tears seem fake. I want to see the puffy red eyes Charmaine again! Not this skinny long dark scarred whatever. And she should seriously remove that scar on her cheek or maybe get make up to hide it because it made no sense; how could Yee Soon with a scar on her chin ever pass through in the first place? Other than that awful fake crying scene where she wailed and her awfully fake "I see Yuen Kei" moments, Charmaine was really very good in here tonight.

Anyway why everybody looks so dark in here?

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

EPISODE 6

2005-10-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

First thing first. Today no Maggie or Moses. The story is mostly about Bowie, Charmaine and Gigi but more on Charmaine.

As seen from last episode, we see a very cunning looking Yuk Ying crushing the pill. Today, somehow that scene jumped and totally different scene.

Yuk Ying was still having that skin disease and she wasn't getting any better. Nobody knows why but of course we the viewers know as Yuk Ying told Yee Soon that she was allergic to certain food which I couldn't hear which one and when Yee Soon, Yuk Ying was happily eating something which I assume was that food she was allergic too. Hmmm very deceptive woman but WHY?

Next scene we have Yee Soon who was still quite sick with her coughing discussing the Yuk Ying situation with her god sisters, the older and more evil Sook Ling and the more innocent and naive Yuen Kei. Sook Ling suggested that since Yuk Ying is sick why don't she remain sick then? So they hatched a plan where they bribed an eunuch from the medical dept to change the medicine for Yuk Ying with the medicine meant for Yee Soon half way through their rooms. So they did and as a result Yee Soon wasn't getting any better with her cough but happily so whilst Yuk Ying's rashes was getting more and more serious. Yee Soon thought everything was perfect except that Yuk Ying never took the medicine! Yuk Ying's serious condition which wasn't life threatening but still a concern reached the older Dr Suen and many doctors were not happy that the fact that she wasn't getting any better despite an accurate diagnosis and medicine was giving the medical dept a bad name. In the meantime Bak Yeung was doing rounds with the other concubines which was very funny to watch. One complaint of petulance (of course she had a very intelligent servant who quickly said "Sorry it was me" when it wasn't her, another who was dieting to seriously she was probably starving herself to death. All these concubines were trying to make themselves look better to attract the Emperor and to Bak Yeung he knew what they were up to but nevertheless perhaps felt that these were very shallow ways.

Anyway older Dr Suen ordered Bak Yeung to go see Yuk Ying since he was so popular with the younger concubines since he himself was a young man.

Once Yuk Ying saw him she was every polite and talking excitedly that she mentioned she felt her medicine was very bitter. This raised an alarm with Bak Yeung since her medicine was supposed to taste a bit how shall I say "kam kam tei". I'm sorry, I can't find the right words, I think sour? Definitely not sweet or bitter. Bak Yeung somebody changed the medicine of Yuk Ying.

Meanwhile Yu Fei was being extra friendly to the innocent and naive Yuen Kei since the Emperor expressed an interest in her, in a bid to get Yuen Kei into her gang I suppose. So she gave Yuen Kei a very beautiful hand held fan whilst everybody else got nice but ordinary ones. Everybody was quite ok with that except Sook Ling who became very very jealous that Yuen Kei was getting all the attention. Yuen Kei was extra humble in front of Yu Fei who felt she was of not much threat.

Anyway Bak Yeung investigated some more into the changed medicine and he caught the eunuch red handed when he was changing the medicine.When he became Yee Soon's doctor as well, he asked her what the medicine she was drinking tasted like. He mentioned was it bitter like it always has been and she said yes, a bit. I didn't quite catch this scene but I guess the answer was wrong since it wasn't supposed to be bitter before. So he suspected that either Yee Soon was lying or somebody other than Yee Soon was doing something. Yee Soon immediately knew Bak Yeung knows.

Yu Fei summoned Bak Yeung to her room and she said there was a rumour that someone changed Yuk Ying's medicine and she asked Bak Yeung if it was true and who did that. Bak Yeung looked quite blank and insisted that there was no such thing and that Yuk Ying's condition was getting better. Yu Fei was disappointed that Bak Yeung did not tell her the truth but she let it be.

Yee Soon and gang knew Bak Yeung didn't tell anybody because they would have been caught already. So Yee Soon figured that Bak Yeung will never tell since he too must have given face to eunuch Tsui. So Yee Soon felt quite happy and when she got the news from Mrs Tsui to not do anything to Yuk Ying for a while, Yuen Kei was very happy that at last Yee Soon can take back her medicine and get well soon. But Sook Ling wasn't happy. In fact she was fuming.

Next thing we knew Sook Ling slyly told the naive Yuen Kei that since they were supposed to stop the changing of medicine, someone has to tell the eunuch in charge if not the medicine will be switched. Yuen Kei volunteered to tell the eunuch tomorrow and whilst they were reminiscing the old times and Yuen Kei was being playful with Sook Ling, Sook Ling had this angry manic look and almost strangled Yuen Kei but Yuen Kei was too dumb to know.

Next day Yuen Kei went to the room and was switching the medicine when she was caught by the eunuch who the night before received a letter from someone anonymous about the whole Yuk Ling-medicine switched incident. As Yuen Kei was crying and being dragged away, Yee Soon was in her room and she heard the commotion. She wanted to run out to help Yuen Kei but Sook Ling stopped her and strangely enought Sook Ling was very honest as she confessed what she did. Yee Soon couldn't believe her ears and she tearfully and in a high pitched voice ala Charmaine Sheh when in extremely tense and stresed out scene asked "Why? Why did you do that? She is our sister!" and Sook Ling in a very cold hearted and calculative voice answered "We need a scapegoat. Someone has to take the fall if not the whole issue will not die down. It has to be her, I mean even if she becomes the Emperor's concubine, she wouldn't be smart enough to help godfather. Why should she be chosen anyway? I am smarter than her, why must it be her who gets the Emperor's love?" and she had this manic jealous angry eyes. Yee Soon was like stunned and could do nothing but watched Yuen Kei being dragged away. Sook Ling said "This is for the better good, for our cause!" but Yee Soon ran out but could run no further as she realised perhaps Sook Ling was right.

Yee Soon then became very quiet but Yuk Ying was happily chatting away and cursing the evilness of Yuen Kei. For Yee Soon to hear those words they were killing her as she knew Yuen Kei wasn't the one.

Meanwhile Yu Fei knew about the anonymous letter and the eunuch said perhaps the informer wanted to get into the favour of Yu Fei since the letter reached the eunuch who is one gang with Yu Fei and not the Empress. Yu Fei reasoned that "The informer is very intelligent and that is a good thing but too intelligent is a bad thing" and I suspect Yu Fei will check out the informer and then kill her! KILL HER!

Then Bak Yeung came to see Yee Soon. But before he left, he said to Yee Soon that perhaps "You have attained what you wanted". Yee Soon didn't understand Bak Yeung and Bak Yeung explained about the whole scapegoat thing and Yee Soon asked "You think I did it?" and Bak Yeung kinda in a way said yes. And Yee Soon retorted "You assume you know everything but you don't" and Bak Yeung said "Perhaps it would be more wise to not do so many things and be thankful for what you have. Know your place and perhaps you may live better". And then he left and Yee Soon was crushed since she did feel kinda guilty about Yuen Kei.

Next scene Bak Yeung saw Yuk Ying who wanted to give him money for curing her rashes. Bak Yeung said no thanks, he was doing what he should be doing and Yuk Ying said no no take it you deserve it and that was when Bak Yeung delivered what was tonight's most memorable line and perhaps best scene. He looked squarely into Yuk Ying's eyes and said "I did nothing actually. Because you didn't take the medicine. Because if you did your rashes would have taken a worse turn but it didn't. You did what you did to get my attention so that I will investigate and report about the medicine switching incident. Goal achieved. Good bye". Something like that and Yuk Ying was trying to protest her innocence, that she knew nothing but the moment Bak Yeung left, again tonight't episode ended with Yuk Ying changing from tearful "please believe me" look to that cunning look again.

Tomorrow, Sook Ling will get her comeuppance. Hurray! But I wonder what happened to Yuen Kei?

Very good episode tonight as we see a very cunning, resourceful and yet very good at avoiding being sucked into the vortex of power grabbing concubines and would be concubines Suen Bak Yeung. Bowie did well tonight, less about reciting lines and more acting. I love that scene where he told Yuk Ying what he thought of her and also to Yee Soon. But poor Yee Soon.

Tonight's episode is the highlight of one is always more cunning than the other. We see a cunning Yee Soon but she never suspected in her group there would be someone more cunning and much more deceptive person and that would be Sook Ling. But none of them would have thought that Yuk Ying is perhaps the most cunning and deceptive and pretentious of them all. At least not Yee Soon who herself may be pretending in front of Yuk Ying whilst doing harm to her without thinking every harm she did to Yuk Ying was directing back to Yee Soon and her gang. And who would have thought their own gang would be done in by their god sister who is by far the most evil and cruel one? I mean if she can do that to her own god sister whom she had lived with for so many years, more so other so called unrelated unknown people? Of course she had to be honest with Yee Soon because I doubt she can harm Yee Soon like she did Yuen Kei. I pity Yuen Kei, she reminded me so much of that poor servant and good friend of Onn Sin. A pity though that tomorrow Sook Ling will go bonkers because I would have loved to see her as a powerful concubine and do more interesting in fighting with own god sister. June Chan was very good as the evil Sook Ling though I find her being jealous and evil quite sudden. I wouldn't mind 2 more episodes to develop that to give the story more consistency.

Yee Soon was a bit disappointing in the sense that she didn't stand up for Yuen Kei. But seriously what could she have done? At least disagree with Sook Ling and slap her. But she seems to agree with her as she simply did nothing. I find Yee Soon very weak. Charmaine Sheh did well tonight, well as in my standard for Charmaine Sheh Acting Metre. I mean someone else and someone better could give more angst and character to Yee Soon but for Charmaine, let's just say I am very happy it wasn't the robot or the automaton. Her best scene was that window scene where she was looking out as Yuen Kei was being dragged away and the window shielded her entire face except for her big eyes and as we all know Charmaine is very good at crying and those about to cry scene. So this was her best acting actually. But the moment she spoke, all those effect all gone because quite frankly her voice spoilt it all. Her second best scene was with Bowie when she was giving him that laser cold "are you accusing me" look that only Charmaine could do so well. But she then said her lines...sighhhh..I mean I do prefer her sounding like this than the way she sounded in that cuckoo series but I wish for more expression in her voice which did not quite match the expression on her face. A pity. But for her standard, a good performance. But too thin. How I wished she looked like she did in HSDS where she was gorgeous.

Gigi Lai seemed to be in a dilemma. For me that is. When I kinda mention to the person sitting next to me that she was being done in by Charmaine and gang that person asked "Why?" and I explained the whole plot but she still couldn't get why. In the end I realise she didn't understand because she couldn't buy the fact that Gigi was supposed to be the prettiest of all the candidates so she couldn't understand why anyone felt threated by her! Ok, true but for someone her age she does look good. But ok, she is not THAT pretty. If Charmaine had look the way she did in HSDS I would say let Charmaine be Yuk Ying and Gigi be Yee Soon because I feel Charmaine is better in those pretentious type of characters. Not to say she is pretentious but she could do better at being fake as Yuk Ying is. Gigi was horrible tonight. I guess maybe she did it deliberately since Yuk Ying was supposed to be pretentious and fake but the way she went about the "ultra innocent" Yuk Ying to "ultra cunning" Yuk Ying is two extremes and I was rather perplexed how could Yee Soon not seen it like Bak Yeung did? But then Gigi perhaps kinda overdone the whole two personalities scenes. But what irritated me more was her heavy breathing whilst talking. Gigi, I get it. This Yuk Ying is fake but must you be so over the top?? I guess worse has yet to come.

Sheren was ok, not much scene. I am quite bored with her character, nothing much.

Everybody else was ok.

I look forward to Onn Sin joining the whole scheming stuff. Thus far not much important scheming yet. But imagine this; not yet a concubine already fighting to almost death. Things would be interesting after they become concubines.

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

EPISODE 5

2005-10-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

I missed the first 5 min of this episode so when I started watching it was Onn Sin begging the old eunuch for a favour. It has something to do with that poor innocent maid featured yesterday and Onn Sin said "I will owe you a favour. Please help me.." and so she got her wish. I suspected
something bad but what happened next was truly devastating.

Onn Sin visited the girl who came down with fever. Onn Sin sat down and gently chatted with her and the girl was worried about the fate of the crows (or is it ravens?) that they might be punished. She innocently said what the birds did was to build a home for the little ones. Onn Sin was teary eyed and asked gently "At times like these you still worry about the crows? They will never be harmed" and she went on to tell the story about how when the Manchurians first entered the Han land there were some crows who helped the conquerer and therefore it was ordered that all crows will be protected and not killed. The girl didn't quite see the point of the story and Onn Sin went on and said "I promise you, you will get to go home to your family, be reunited with them" and the girl was so happy she wanted to drink the medicine fast so that she will be well fast. But Onn Sin kept stopping her until she took it and drink it and then Onn Sin helped her to lie down on the bed and the girl smilingly said "Kuku, don't let me sleep for more than 2 hours, please remember to wake me up" and she closed her eyes and slept a sleep where she will never wake up from. Onn Sin looked at her and she gently cried and said "I am so sorry, this is all I could do to help you, to let you go home in one piece to be buried at your village.." and she cried.

It was a very sad scene. In a way Onn Sin spared the girl from some horrible death and the girl died without knowing she was to die. I thought what Onn Sin did was noble and she did what she could as she tearfully said "You know if a servant makes a mistake it means only death for that servant" and it's true; how worthless can their lives be? An excellent scene and may I say Maggie truly brough out Onn Sin's anguish without resorting to screaming and kicking. In fact she was without facial expression when she was talking to that girl but tears were welling up in her expressive eyes.

Excellent performance by Maggie. Why is this character so underappreciated? It is such a great character. I find Onn Sin so much more interesting than everybody else as she is shown as helpful and really kind in many ways. The rest are just scheming which is tiring to watch. Andshe made me feel for this character. Anyway I don't think Yu Fei even knew the maid was sentenced to death. It is funny isn't it that the servants are so eager to clean up the so called mess even when the master was too busy worrying about other stuff. Quite disgusting really.

Bak Yeung just saw Yu Fei who thanked him and the gave a speech where in effect he was asked to do her bidding or else...then Bak Yeung left and met Hung Mo on the way. Hung Mo was on the rooftop when he saw a body being carried out and a flute fell to the floor and he knew who that body was. He was so angry he stoned several crows to death and Bak Yeung was there and Bak Yeung slyly said "You know you could die for doing this? I could report you and I could kill you.." and Hung Mo frustratingly answered "I could kill you too" when he held his powerful fist in the face of a smiling Bak Yeung. Glad to know friendships can start like this! Anyway Bak Yeung why he was upset and he said "This is the palace, somethings can't be avoided and this is how things are" and Hung Mo said "It shouldn't be! Is a servant's life less valuable than a crow? Even you, a high ranking official at the end of the day is doing the bidding of others, aren't you a servant like us all?" and I guess Bak Yeung agreed. Bak Yeung was curious and asked did he knew the girl well and Hung Mo regretfully answered "I did not know her well and she didn't have time to let me know her well". Excellent answer if you ask me. Bak Yeung tried to talk with Hung Mo more but Hung Mo was beyond words and he was angry and Bak Yeung said "When these things happened, we try not to bother and yet here you are, angry and very bothered" and then Bak Yeung bold declared that "I have no doubt you will one day achieve your ambition and may be more powerful than myself...what is you name?" and Hung Mo said "One day you will know my name" and I guess a friendship has been struck?

Then Bak Yeung saw his father and Bak Yeung earlier did tell his assistant that his father never back stabbed him if not he wouldn't have been able to leave Yu Fei's chamber. Then his father met him and his father angrily told off his son for doing what he did and he sarcastically said he has achieved his ambition and he has prove his father wrong. Bak Yeung angrily told his father "I did what I did not because I am ambitious, it was because I knew I could do it" and he did say something else which was very good scripting but I forgot. Then Bak Yeung said "You prepared for me a route to escape but you needn't do that. I could help myself and since I got myself into this problem I will get myself out without your help!" and his father said "There is a time one must know when to back down. I do not want you to reach my age and then learn this lesson as it will be too late. Now it is too late for you to back down ...". I think his father meant from now on he is Yu Fei's errand boy. I understood his father's anguish and I think Bak Yeung did too.

That night Bak Yeung told his female companion at the brothel/motel he was staying that he once had many nights pushing a woman on a swing and that woman was his mother. His mother never once complained of being all alone as his father was too busy with taking care of other women, namely concubines. And then she became very sick and his father had to return to work and "my mother refused to go peacefully. Like she had always done, she patiently waited even as her every breath was painful and she was dying slowly. I begged my mother to go..imagine this, a son telling his mother to die..but she refused. She clung to life for 3 days and on the 4th day she reached the end of her life and she died and my father was never there..." which was why he hated his father because he loved his mother. He said whatever his father lacked and wasn't there for her, his mother pinned her hopes on Bak Yeung. I guess this is like Prince William-Prince Charles-Princess Diana type of relationship. Quite sad. BUT isn't Bak Yeung treating Hau Shu the same way his father treated his mother? I pity Hau Shu and I still don't like Bak Yeung. Anyway that scene also showed that whilst Bak Yeung hated his father, he knew his father loved him enough to risk his own reputation to save him.

Next scene was the news that the Emperor has returned! The Empress was very excited (and again best costume and head gear tonight, so stunning) and then she received news that the Emperor said he was tired and had stuff to do so he can't stop by to say hello. The Empress was
very disappointed and simply removed her clips from her hair. Quite a simple gesture but very powerful one. Rebecca Chan did very well in this simple scene.

Then Yu Fei received news the Emperor was heading HER way! Now you know why she is so arrogant. The Emperer sat down and she was all smiles. The Emperor even said he loved the Princess and Yu Fei was very happy. BUT he can't stay long because he had to look at the candidates!! Ha! Ha! Yu Fei pretended to be cool about it but she was looking very worried.

Time for painting of their faces to be given to the Emperor to see. Yuk Ying obviously bribed the painter and she was so helpful with Yee Soon and even gave her money. For a fleeting second Yee Soon looked almost guilty she will have to do what she had to do. But unfortunately Yee Soon and gang before that had bribed the painter and Yuk Ying was so ugly in the painting. Lucky for her, Siu Luk Tzi was taking the paintings upstairs one night and Yuk Ying's painting fell into the water and was destroyed. Onn Sin saw this and Siu Luk Tzi was worried but Onn Sin said she will describe Yuk Ying to him and he can repaint the painting since he knew how to paint. One look the Emperor had on Yuk Ying's painting and he was captivated by her smile and beauty.

The candidates heard that the Emperor will be going to the ancestral shrine and they will get to see him there. But Yee Soon wanted to stop Yuk Ying since she is no. 1 competitor and so they tricked Onn Sin and gang with some problems and one of the girl's put some powder into the golden bowl of water meant for Yuk Ying to wash her face. Once inside, Yuk Ying sleepily looked into the bowl and next thing the maid cried out and said Yuk Ying fainted! And she was down with fever and Onn Sin quickly asked for a doctor and some medicine.

Yee Soon stayed back to take care of Yuk Ying whilst the rest went to the shrine. The Emperor was eager to meet Yuk Ying but Yuk Ying was said to be sick. The other two god sisters of Yee Soon tried to capture the Emperor's attention but it was the younger clumsier one who caught the Emperor's attention and now exists rivalry even amongst the god sisters!

Back to Yuk Ying who was still not concious yet. That fleeting moment Yee Soon was observing Yuk Ying's face and her expression was one of curiousity. I think Yee Soon began to feel a bit guilty for wanting to harm an innocent helpful Yuk Ying who had always been like a sister to her. In fact I think that moment was Charmaine's best acting in these past 5 episodes as she sat there looking intently like as if "Are you for real Yuk Ying? Why are you so nice to me?" type of expression. Then Yuk Ying woke up and Yee Soon immediately went into the concern mode. I think an eunuch walked in and gave Yee Soon some pills and Yee Soon gave it to Yuk Ying and she said I'll get the water.

The next scene was puzzling but full of promises of what may come in future episodes. Yuk Ying took the pill smilingly and as Yee Soon left he face turned all serious and almost cruel and she squeezed the pills and flicked it away. The end.

Next few episodes will be dramatic as Yee Soon's god sisters (the older one) will harm the youngest one out of jealousy.

Story wise today is a great one. You will find several great scenes where great lines were delivered. I thought the scene between Onn Sin and the innocent maid was great but the one I thought was most revealing was the one between Hung Mo and Bak Yeung. The dialogue there was strong and very meaningful although again some words were kinda deep and took quite a while to sink in. The above is really my interpretation of what happened but the dialogue was great.

Tonight also we see the weaker side of Yu Fei even for one fleeting moment.

In fact you can say tonight's episode is great for those one fleeting moments of utter silence. Like how Onn Sin tried to look away from the young maid as the maid was showing her concern for the crows and Onn Sin looked like she was about to cry. The scene where Hung Mo said "I don't know her well and she didn't have the time to know me well" or something like that as he walked away from Bak Yeung who was looking intently at him, like how the Empress removed her clip from her hair when the Emperor said he wasn't coming, how Yee Soon sat there observing an unconcious Yuk Ying and her face full of questions and how Yuk Ying looked in that final scene for tonight. Such fleeting moments just eleviate this series from the norm to something extra and I hope such fleeting moments will continue and give many great moments in this series.

I must note though some said Yuk Ying fainted because of that bowl of water. I doubt that was meant to make her faint. I think she pretended to faint when she realised something was wrong with the water? But why would she miss seeing the Emperor? And how come Yee Soon stayed back? Was it because she never thought the water would make her faint and so it was guilt? Yee Soon is still as ambigous as ever.

Performance wise, Sheren Tang did well but still her role is still limited. Maggie was great as described above. I appreciate such performances, no big movements, just the eyes doing the talking. Gigi was bearable in here but prone to over the top facial expressions but I wonder now perhaps it was deliberate for Yuk Ying to do things over the top to divert attention? We shall see but really Gigi is still the worst. Charmaine did very well tonight thanks to that ambigous moment I described and I like the fact that her character is silent and not smiling most of the time which gives her an air of mystery and yet doesn't require much acting in the sense that she has to stay expressionless. So she did well. Bowie wasn't that well. He was still reciting his lines like a robot and in more emotional scenes he faltered in the sense that he tried too hard. Moses on the other hand for someone always so limited in his dramatic acting did surprisingly well tonight since all he had to be was to be angry.

So far the women are beginning to show more to their character whilst the men are still not quite moving forward yet.

Amongst the veterans, Chan Hung Lit was ok tonight but again someone why no dubbing huh? Can't understand.... Yu Yeung as the Emperor finally appeared and it was like "THAT'S IT?" kinda thing. Ewwwww...can't TVB find a better looking more esteemed looking older actor? Bad bad performance.

All the ke-le-fes were ok.

I am looking forward to the next episode and the development of the female characters. Whilst I think Sheren Tang did very well, I am not that sympathetic or even interestd in Yu Fei. Maybe in later episodes there may be reasons to actually like her..PLEASE don't tell me. I wanna discover it for myself.

Tomorrow (Friday 28.10.2005) no episode 6 as ASTRO will be showing beauty pageant and stuff. That screwed up my entire episodes posting list!

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