Nirvana in Fire, eps 13-16

[extrapenguin]

Ahahahaha. I've got it bad, so bad.

The plot with Marquis Yan was so heartbreaking. Yan, MCS's father, and the Emperor plotted to install the Emperor on the throne, and that just got MCS's father killed. Yan is left with just wanting to kill the Emperor, but MCS stays his hand and tells him to reconnect with his son! I am a happy penguin. Especially with the fact MCS hints that he's not actually working for Prince Yu! I hope Marquis Yan figures out the fact he's working for Prince Jing instead; his son seems to have acquired suspicions. MCS continues his journey of righting past wrongs (and also amending his father's misdeeds) and saves a guy for devotion and loyalty (to his sister the Empress and his dead beloved, who was made a Concubine). It seems he took Jing's earlier admonishment to heart.

Speaking of Prince Jing, I like how he's making friends (Minister Shen Zhui is certainly impressed!) and impressing people – even Xai Dong admitted he took on the thankless tasks without complaint. And this even with the obvious injustices against him. Jing said "people return in kind what they receive" and I want him on the throne already, k? I also hope that he'll get to realize that MCS is his childhood friend Lin Shu. Then they can happily embrace. Maybe a bit of crying on MCS's shoulder.

The Marquis Ning's plan to become commander of the Imperial Guards was a nice one, but excellently intercepted by MCS. Getting Meng Zhi to stay in bed and chillax was quite an achievement, and did MCS really truly actually say "you can best help me by taking care of your backside"? That was ... well, shippy. Maybe not in the original Chinese, but shippy. I wonder if he's just trying to get General Meng out of the splash zone for whatever will happen. The Empress did her thing with aplomb; I quite like her.

At least two people seem to have a crush on MCS: Gong Yu (who finally got to see him!) and Jingrui. Based on the various clues, I suspect Jingrui's birthday party might be unforgettable in the sense of the word he wouldn't want. Also, I wonder when the other shoe will drop and Prince Yu will figure out MCS is not his advisor in reality...

Visually, it's still stunning. There was actual frosted breath shown (probably post-processing, but hey, a commitment to realism!), the forests were pretty, and the architechture comforting. (IDK, I find wooden buildings home-y. Probably comes from being an nth-generation forest dweller. Still, it's weird that East Asian architechture should feel much closer to home than Central European.) The ritual displayed is breathtaking. (I do actually like ritual as a concept, it's just that there's little of it here and nearly all of it is religious in character, sigh.)

Comments

[schneefink]

Yesss it is so pretty :D

Haha, yes, these two definitely have crushes on MCS, and they are not the only ones.
I'm trying very hard not to spoil anything so if I'm not commenting a lot on certain stuff that's probably why.

I really like Marquis Yan! There isn't much fic about his generation, but I remember there was at least one I liked a lot. Once you've finished watching I'll give you a bunch of fic recs.

[extrapenguin]

I appreciate the not-spoiling – even if it may make certain things harder to talk about. I suppose that once I'm halfway through it'll be a bit easier? (At least contrasting to prior happenings?)

Tbh I wouldn't be surprised if the ending was everyone having a crush on MCS :D Princes Jing and Yu also seem to be at least slightly into him.

Fic recs! Yay! I shall await them when I run out of canon.

[schneefink]

It will be a bit easier about some things yes. The big event around halfway through is spectacular :D

You are not too far off ;)