When last we left the warlord and the beauty, Man Man saved everyone using water.
No one knows that yet
Sweet innocent Ci enthusiastically suggests they all go to Kangjun. Man Man’s hometown. The Qiao Clan Base. A place full of people Wei Shao wants dead.
Everyone discourages Ci, but Wei Shao remembers how Man Man misses her family. He tells Ci to take Man Man to Kangjun. He’ll return to Wei and wait for her to come back.
But when Wei Shao and his men pass through Boya, they unexpectedly run into Bi Zhi, and learn he was not a part of the fighting.
Awkward Flashback to Man Man standing by the river
Not only did she stop the reinforcements, but she convinced them to abandon Liu Yan because he’s a horrible murderer.
Back in the present, the advisor points out that Man Man came alone with a few troops and is now headed home alone. With that, Wei Shao changes his plans!
Meanwhile, Fan finally admits what happened to Bi Zhi. Now, she wants to go to Kangjun to see Man Man.
Wei Shao drags everyone on a hard ride through the rain after Man Man. They retrace her steps, seeing what she did at the river, but can’t catch up. Until finally, a flooded bridge keeps Man Man from getting ahead again.
Wei Shao hugs her in front of everyone!
Then scolds her in front of everyone!
Man Man is confused, then upset. Everyone else is horrified.
When he switches to worrying, she’s done. Her maid gives Wei Shao the scolding he deserves, explaining how Man Man has been missing him. Then his Generals scold him. Then his advisor makes them all leave Wei Shao alone to think about his mistakes.
Wei Shao goes to Man Man’s room, and his efforts to convince her it’s too cold so she should come to his room make her smile.
Cuddling! He tells her he missed her and apologizes for what he said. She wants him to understand that everything she did was to let him know that he’s as important to her as her family and people. He understands. Hugging!
Wei Shao FINALLY gets it
He admits he hasn’t been thinking of how hard things have been for her, caught between their two families. But no one could have done better than her, or handled their relationship better.
When she asked if he would give up revenge, he realized he had never given her any promise. And she has lived under that pressure all along
The entire time he pursued her, he was afraid she’d decide he wasn’t worth it. But he knew that even if he killed all his enemies and conquered the world, it would be pointless without her. My heart, it’s meeeeeeelllllting!
He acknowledges that he’s been a fool. She did so much for him, and he never knew how to cherish and love her. He wants her to hit and punish him, but not push him away or doubt his love.
He’ll go with her to Kangjun. Maybe once he sees the place she grew up, he will be able to let go.
Everything he’s said is true, but Man Man is The Nicest and tells him she feels he does a lot for her. He says it’s because she’s never left him behind when it’s been dangerous. Enough talking, kissing time!
Here’s Liu Yan, just who I wanted to see
He’s only here so we know that he’s decided to retreat for now. But he’s NOT happy about it.
And then, we’re in Kangjun! With Man Man’s horrible Uncle, who Wei Shao ignores. Then Fan and Bi Zhi arrive, and Man Man’s Uncle ignores them. But Wei Shao thanks Bi Zhi for his help finding Man Man, and calls him brother-in-law.
Wei Shao sees how comfortable Man Man’s life was with her family, and wants to know if she blames him for her life with his family. Man Man tells him that days with him are comfortable and happy. Too nice Man Man, too nice.
Fan and Man Man end up meeting where they used to dance and play. Both women smile and try to act like things haven’t changed, but they aren’t relaxed with each other. Later, Fan tells Bi Zhi that she and Man Man feel distant now.
Man Man felt the same. She tells Wei Shao about Fan making her feel guilty for pushing him to fight. Wei Shao understands that she had no other choice, and she’s not like other women.
He likes to fight for her. She wishes for him to be safe and sound. More hugging!
At least Man Man’s Dad is Awesome
Even though he’s low on supplies, he’s sheltering and feeding any refugee that arrives. Wei Shao personally brings wheat, and they bond over helping the people.
Man Man’s father promises to guard peace, and it reminds Wei Shao of Man Man. Wei Shao hopes that the day of peace will come. He calls him Father and bows to him, seeing his heart is like Man Man’s.
At family dinner, Man Man’s family and Wei Shao ignore her Uncle, toasting everyone but him. Seeing this, Uncle becomes welcoming to Bi Zhi. But even Bi Zhi does not toast Uncle.
Which was the correct choice, because Uncle wants to scold Fan, take Boya, and make Bi Zhi his subordinate.
Fan is tough in her own way and done being this jerk’s daughter. He never once supported them in Boya. Bi Zhi steps in before Uncle can slap her.
Fan tells her father that if he wants Boya, take it over himself. Uncle is upset that the two women are loyal to Yan, but not to him.
Bi Zhi still wants to give Fan glory and honor, while she just wants to be with him. He proves how awesome he is by having her favorite fruit for her.
Man Man and Wei Shao finally get back to it
It’s sexier this time. Mostly. He carries her to bed, and there’s cuddling and kissing. He offers to do whatever she wants before they return to Wei. She wants to know that he’s not pretending to be happy for her sake.
Then he offers some kind of deal if she has a child for them. Kids, do not try this at home unless you know your partner really, really, really well. Luckily for him, she’s into it. So it’s time to work on making the babies, weeee!
Before they leave Kangjun, Man Man’s father bows towards the Wei State. On behalf of the Qiao clan, he bows to Wei Shao’s late grandfather, father, and brother. He dares not seek forgiveness but only expresses his gratitude, guilt, and remorse.
He’s very grateful to Wei Shao for how Man Man has been treated. Wei Shao admits that he made things difficult and treated Man Man harshly. Man Man disagrees, but no one pays her any attention. Father asks Wei Shao to take care of her and make sure she is happy.
Wei Shao accepts.
Back in Wei, it’s time for Wei Shao’s family memorials. Last year, Man Man was forbidden from attending and left outside to die. This time, she’s warm and safe and okay with not attending.
But Wei Shao sends a ceremonial robe. The next day, he takes her hand and brings her into the ancestral hall. He introduces Man Man to the force ghosts of his grandfather, father, and brother.
What a difference a Year Makes
I really enjoyed these episodes. I’m sad we didn’t get more time in Kangjun.
Wei Shao is right, Man Man’s heart comes from her father. Grandfather was important, and I think he’s her brain (okay, that sounds weird). But her father may be the most compassionate person we’ve met.
Fan and Man Man’s situation is so sad. Poor Fan, I understand why she’d never want to risk Bi Zhi’s life to help him. But I also don’t think it was an easy choice she made, or one she’s entirely comfortable with.
I don’t think Man Man would be nearly as hurt by Fan’s choice if not for what she said about Man Man making Wei Shao fight for her. I think both women feel judged by the other, and that makes it hard to be comfortable with one another.
Wei Shao finally, finally, sees what Man Man has gone through. He’s spent too long acting like the victim of their marriage. In reality, she didn’t have any more control over that situation than him. Both of their lives were completely disrupted. He needed to really see it to get it. I forgive him because he’s saved her life and her family’s lives a few times.
These moments of tension and conflict between our couple and the people they love are my favorite parts of the show.
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