GUARDIAN REWATCH – Episode 32

[awanderingcoyote]

Beginning of episode: Chu Shuzhi and Zhao Yunlan argue.
Ending of episode: Chu Shuzhi talks with Guo Changcheng.

Important scenes/developments:

• Zhao Yunlan yells at Chu Shuzhi about using his puppet in Zhu Hong’s dream.
• Da Qing runs in as the two argue and the talk shifts to the articles that have been released concerning the SID, and specifically Chu Shuzhi’s past.
• Zhao Yunlan wants to go to Dixing. Chu Shuzhi volunteers.
• It transitions to Ye Zun punishing the Nightmare Master for failing.
• Guo Changcheng has a nightmare that Chu Shuzhi strangles him.
• Zhao Yunlan argues with Minister Gao about the leaked files concerning Chu Shuzhi’s past.
• Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi argue some more.
• Chu Shuzhi decides to go to Dixing and Guo Changcheng tags along.
• The Regent is still a bad man.
• Chu Shuzhi stomps around angrily because of the Regent and losing the last piece of his brother.
• Chu Shuzhi tries to scare Guo Changcheng away. It doesn’t work.
• Shen Wei is chained to the sky pillar.
• Ye Zun manifests in his shadow form, taunts Chu Shuzhi with his dead brother and then seemingly kills Guo Changcheng.
• Chu Shuzhi wakes up at the SID and tells Zhao Yunlan about Shen Wei.
• Guo Changcheng finds a sleeping Chu Shuzhi and they speak.
• Chu Shuzhi has a nightmare about when he and his brother were kids, and how his brother died.
• Chu Shuzhi tells Guo Changcheng he would like his dreams to be reality.

The Beginning:

• We start the episode off tensely from episode 31, with Zhao Yunlan yelling at Chu Shuzhi about endangering Zhu Hong within the dream. Zhao Yunlan is VERY animated here while in comparison Chu Shuzhi is oddly calm, perhaps because he’s staring at the doll in his hands. The worry for Zhu Hong is definitely felt with Zhao Yunlan saying:
  • ZYL: How could you activate that in a dream? What if Zhu Hong got hurt? What if she couldn’t wake up?
  • After Chu Shuzhi says unlikely Zhao Yunlan proceeds to say: I think you’ve gotten tired of the SID. You’re getting too bold.
  • CSZ: And I think you’ve grown too soft-hearted. Sometimes you need to be ruthless, or you’ll miss the big picture and regret it forever.
  • This scene in particular cements (in my head) how much Zhao Yunlan cares for his whole team. They are his family
  • .I also think this shows Chu Shuzhi trying to protect his family, even if his words are a touch more rough and blunt.

• Da Qing arrives on scene and is very worried for his Cat Family. His appearance does thankfully give both Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi time to break their staring contest and settle down. Good job, Da Qing!

• Chu Shuzhi offers to go to Dixing and Zhao Yunlan says he needs to think about it. Both Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi give great jaw clenches in their own way, showing their high emotions. We transition to the Nightmare Master being punished by Ye Zun for failing. Ye Zun says he’s curious about the Nightmare King’s powers and dark energy encircles the Nightmare King’s throat and asks for him to lend his powers to Ye Zun. For a heartbeat Shen Wei wakes up and he looks very exhausted and in pain.
  • I’m still on the fence on what the dark energy was for? Was it to cause pain to punish the Nightmare Master or was it so Ye Zun could steal his powers somewhat?

• We transition back to the SID and Guo Changcheng legit skips into the SID HQ, which is our first clue that things aren’t normal what with the last few episodes being heightened tension and such. He deposits treats on people’s desks and when he turns to Chu-ge’s desk he finds Chu-ge there. Only instead of a typical greeting, Chu Shuzhi grabs Guo Changcheng by the throat. Guo Changcheng wakes with a gasp.
  • I like how when Guo Changcheng wakes up the camera looks at him and then ‘looks’ over at Chu Shuzhi, as if we’re seeing in Guo Changcheng’s POV. On another note, we see Zhu Hong smiling at her desk. I couldn’t quite figure out why she was smiling? I think I may have missed something even with the rewatching!
  • Also, I’m just going to highlight mean dream Chu Shuzhi and then really vaguely evil mean dream Chu Shuzhi with that tiny little smile on the second picture.

• Guo Changcheng goes to Da Qing for reassurances, but in the end the Cat only wants to gossip about what Guo Changcheng saw in Zhu Hong’s dream.
  • This made me laugh because Da Qing is a very nosey cat! LOL. Also, can we talk about how Chu Shuzhi is sitting here? LOLOL.

• We transition to the next morning, and we see the Nightmare Master watching the SID building from across the street. Either way, we find our way back into the bullpen of the SID as Guo Changcheng stumbles upon the article about Chu Shuzhi and his past. It then transitions to Zhao Yunlan defending the team, but specifically Chu Shuzhi, to Minister Gao. Some of my favorite lines in this scene:
  • None of us should become a scapegoat. – Once again, we see Zhao Yunlan defending his family! My heart!
  • Minister Gao: You need to recognize your position! Zhao Yunlan: And you need to recognize that you’re not qualified to sit here and judge us. – SUCH FIERCE Zhao Yunlan. Such fierce!! I love it!
  • He warns Minister Gao to not touch a single person in the SID “including him”. – Such threats! Fiercest of fierce Zhao Yunlan.

• We transition (again) back to the SID HQ and get a nice look at the wall of clocks. The camera shows the team as a whole (minus Zhao Yunlan who isn’t there) and I find it very interesting how the team is seated. Everyone but Chu Shuzhi sits close together whereas Chu Shuzhi stands off to the side. A clear depiction of his ‘outsider’ status.
  • I feel like this is more self-imposed by Chu Shuzhi himself, since the discussion the team is having is about protecting Chu Shuzhi.

• Eventually, Zhao Yunlan enters looking quite spry? Happy? I read some sort of less angry Zhao Yunlan as he arrives back at the SID. Perhaps he’s just happy to be back ‘home’. Zhao Yunlan gives a very Zhao Yunlan pep talk and Chu Shuzhi finally speaks and asks Zhao Yunlan to go to Dixing. He even says please. He’s told no again, because the Haixing Inspectorate is watching him. Chu Shuzhi turns angrily away at the denial. Zhu Hong offers to go but Zhao Yunlan denies her as well, because her self-criticism isn’t big enough. Zhao Yunlan goes to his office and calls Chu Shuzhi to come with him.
  • The look she and Guo Changcheng exchange definitely makes me believe he wrote it for her. LOLOLOL. Which calls back to Shen Wei writing Zhao Yunlan’s (if I’m remembering the episode correctly!).

The Beginning of the Fall:

• Once in Zhao Yunlan’s office we transition to Zhao Yunlan starting to talk and Chu Shuzhi just laughs. I have affectionately titled this particular scene the slow fall of Chu Shuzhi. Though I don’t consider it a true fall, I just mean the journey of emotions Chu Shuzhi goes through in this particular episode. So many Emotions. Once Chu Shuzhi starts to laugh Zhao Yunlan sits down and I think Zhao Yunlan is having similar thoughts XD XD XD Realistically though, I'm sure it's just Zhao Yunlan trying to see how this is all going to play out, because the laughter Chu Shuzhi is doing isn't the good kind.

• Chu Shuzhi proceeds to talk about his crimes in a very cavalier manner, saying the punishment was just and fair, and he paid his due for his crimes. He ends with: How dare they insult my family? It’s with that line that Chu Shuzhi shows anger again. Zhao Yunlan tries to appease Chu Shuzhi, saying: It’s a very sensitive point for you. But what do you want to do now? They made comments, are you going to kill them? And Chu Shuzhi is all: They shouldn’t force me to. My absolute favorite line is Zhao Yunlan saying: It’s been a hundred years and you’re still so merciless. And also: You still only know violence when you’re worried.
  • For his statement about family is he saying for his actual family line, or his SID family? My heart says SID family XD Or both honestly, but right this moment, I think more SID.
  • Zhao Yunlan’s line about only knowing violence because Chu Shuzhi is worried is such: AIEE my heart. Chu Shuzhi is seen XD XD XD

• Zhao Yunlan then basically tells Chu Shuzhi to be patient and Chu Shuzhi states he knows. Which then prompts Zhao Yunlan to ask him why he’s still giving him grief when he knows! I love that byplay between the two, but also the next part is my fave too :D Chu Shuzhi leans over Zhao Yunlan’s desk and offers to bring Professor Shen ‘back to you’. BACK TO YOU. Ahhhhh!! I really enjoyed how the camera focused on Zhao Yunlan’s face, then Chu Shuzhi’s and then Zhao Yunlan’s again. You can absolutely see Zhao Yunlan almost going for it up until his common sense kicks in. Zhao Yunlan says no, and Chu Shuzhi tries to speak again but Zhao Yunlan stands which I think surprised Chu Shuzhi with how his words stop. Zhao Yunlan says no again, which causes Chu Shuzhi to look disgruntled before he walks out.
  • I really liked this scene where we see Chu Shuzhi more open in some ways, than just anger and grumpy goth, but we also see Zhao Yunlan really step forward as a leader and put everything before his own wants and desires. Because he sure does want to save Shen Wei.

Homeward Bound:

• Both men angry walk through the SID bullpen and Zhao Yunlan tells Guo Changcheng to follow Chu Shuzhi. We find Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng standing outside the portal to Dixing. Chu Shuzhi talks about having not been back in awhile. An obvious heavy subject for him, but it’s lightened somewhat with Guo Changcheng’s questioning of what Chu Shuzhi is talking about for the portal. Eventually Guo Changcheng is booted into the portal by Chu Shuzhi.

• We have a lovely transition where we see Dixing and the palace and the lava fields. Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi walk down the steps, with Guo Changcheng looking very awed and Chu Shuzhi looking stern. Only once the two are at the bottom of the steps does Chu Shuzhi inhale sharply. Guo Changcheng starts to stutter ask a question, but Chu Shuzhi cuts him off, saying: For starters, follow behind me and don’t say a word.
  • Is the inhale because Dixing smells like ‘home’ to him, or because he’s mentally preparing for whatever may happen.
  • Chu Shuzhi’s order to follow behind him makes me think he’s acting as shield for Guo Changcheng. If shit is going to proverbially hit the fan, he’ll take the strikes.

• Chu Shuzhi powerwalks right up to the smarmy Regent who asks why he’s here, saying he’s a few days early for his ‘release’. ‘Be patient’. Chu Shuzhi tells the Regent he’s here on behalf of the SID. The Regent gives some background on how Hei Pao Shi transferred Chu Shuzhi to the SID three years ago, and we briefly see a glimpse of Guo Changcheng nervously shifting on his feet. The Regent continues to speak saying how Chu Shuzhi seemed to have adapted well to his job in Dragon City. Chu Shuzhi ignores the Regent and asks where Hei Pao Shi is. The Regent proceeds to deflect, up until he tells the Regent to summon Hei Pao Shi. While the Regent goes to ‘summon’ Hei Pao Shi, Chu Shuzhi deploys a string and steals the incense cone.
  • You can just feel the ‘I’m absolutely done’ energy from Chu Shuzhi in this whole whole whole scene. I love it!

• When the Regent returns, he tries to lie by saying Hei Pao Shi is on the surface. Chu Shuzhi laughs. Chu Shuzhi gets right into the Regent’s personal space (you go Chu Shuzhi) and accuses of him of kneeling to Ye Zun. Once more the Regent tries to deflect, by saying Chu Shuzhi’s punishment is almost complete and does he want to mess it up. More laughter from Chu Shuzhi. Chu Shuzhi says he wears the spring and autumn (I believe is what I’ve seen others refer to them as, please correct me if I’m wrong 😊) shackles voluntarily, and how does that give the Regent a hold over him. The Regent once again advises Chu Shuzhi to remain calm which causes Chu Shuzhi to ask once again if Hei Pao Shi is in Dixing, which the Regent replies: he should be. He just has no idea where Hei Pao Shi could be (liar liar liar) XD. Cue the angry walking once again!
  • Honestly this is the most laughter I think we’ve ever seen from Chu Shuzhi XD Not that it’s GOOD laughter, but so much laughter.

• Before Chu Shuzhi can angry walk (he sure is getting his steps in) too far, Guo Changcheng touches his arm to ask what they should do now. ‘Are we still looking for Professor Shen?’. Chu Shuzhi does the smart thing and tells Guo Changcheng they need to go back to the SID first to tell Zhao Yunlan what’s going on. Guo Changcheng agrees and starts walking away, but Chu Shuzhi isn’t following. Guo Changcheng stops and asks You’re not coming? And Chu Shuzhi reveals he needs to get something first. They’re digging in the ground and it reveals a small wooden box. When he opens it Chu Shuzhi finds it empty. Chu Shuzhi looks visibly upset and runs off, Guo Changcheng chases after him.
  • I really have to say the expressions on both their faces is such a journey! So many feels so many feels.

• It’s back to the palace and when Chu Shuzhi (with Guo Changcheng behind him) arrives, Chu Shuzhi yells out his brother’s name and asks where is he? Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng both look upset, though Guo Changcheng is also confused when he asks Chu-ge, what are you looking for? Chu Shuzhi demands his things back and the Regent, who’s hiding off to the side asks: Chu Shuzhi, you were jailed for manslaughter. Now, do you want to repeat what happened? Chu Shuzhi denies he does, that they’re compelling him. The Regent then proceeds to pass a message from Ye Zun to Chu Shuzhi: He will take good care of your brother, and Chu Shuzhi’s face is just heartbreaking as he asks ‘what?’, but ultimately understands what’s going on. The Regent wouldn’t let him take the last thing his brother was alive in so he could hold it over Chu Shuzhi. Chu Shuzhi says the Regent has no right to judge him and we see the Regent laughing off to the side. Once more we are angry walking away.
  • I absolutely love how Chu Shuzhi connects all the dots. Can see the lies and the politics in play here and all the opportunities that the Regent has done to make sure the Regent has the upper hand when dealing with Chu Shuzhi.

The Fall:

• Chu Shuzhi angry angry angry walks down the steps into the main square (I think?) of Dixing and Guo Changcheng (bravely) calls his name.
  • Chu Shuzhi’s face goes on a journey of emotions. A JOURNEY.
  • In all honesty it reminds me of how Chu Shuzhi used to be in the very beginning episodes with Guo Changcheng. When he was trying to scare the newbie away.

• You can tell Guo Changcheng is trying to be very brave here. His expression just reads very brave but also scared. I also love how the camera does a whole circle around them going from looking straight at Chu Shuzhi to looking somewhat over Guo Changcheng’s shoulder when Chu Shuzhi starts to talk, before it continues to circle around so both are seen. Chu Shuzhi immediately starts in with the scare tactics:
  • CSZ: Little boy, don’t you know who I am?
  • GCC: I know. No, no … I don’t know. No, I mean …
  • CSZ: Didn’t you hear me? I’m a murderer.

• Chu Shuzhi’s voice is very tight, aggressive, and when he says I don’t just kill people, he begins to stalk over to Guo Changcheng. He grabs Guo Changcheng and pulls him real close. We can see Chu Shuzhi is completely in Guo Changcheng’s personal space and Guo Changcheng is actively trying to put distance between them, with his face turned away, though he watches Chu Shuzhi from the corner of his eye. The camera pans around the two again, which I think heightens the tension of the whole scene, until we can see Chu Shuzhi has pulled Guo Changcheng closer so that Guo Changcheng is looking at him more straight on. We go from little boy to Chu Shuzhi now calling Guo Changcheng little child, as Chu Shuzhi tries to scare Changcheng further with more cannibal 101.

• At this point Chu Shuzhi let’s Guo Changcheng go and proceeds to walk behind him before he grabs his shoulder and leans over Guo Changcheng’s shoulder to continue his lecture about chewy cartilage to try and push it home how he's an evil evil man. (Also, I have to say kudos to the camera person, because they were walking backwards to get these shots and angles of the two!!) Once again, Chu Shuzhi calls him little boy, and tells Changcheng he’s a man-eating demon and proceeds to pat the back of Changcheng’s head as he laughs. Chu Shuzhi, thinking his job is done starts to walk away, but Guo Changcheng follows. Chu Shuzhi asks if he really wants him to eat Guo Changcheng, and Changcheng doesn’t answer, only continues to follow Chu Shuzhi. Chu Shuzhi yells for him to run away before he gets mad, but Guo Changcheng says no, citing Zhao Yunlan ordered him to stay with Chu Shuzhi. Such brave Changcheng.

• Now Changcheng’s dream seems to come true, as Chu Shuzhi grabs him by the throat and pushes him backwards before he lifts Guo Changcheng up off the ground. Chu Shuzhi proceeds to talk about his penalty, and how he’s paid his dues, and how it isn’t right what the Regent (and Ye Zun?) are doing to him and how dare they disturb him (his brother). I think this is interesting because he’s no longer trying to scare Guo Changcheng away, but instead talking about what’s really upsetting him. He screams his brother is already dead and throws Guo Changcheng to the ground, who gasps in great breaths of air. Chu Shuzhi, calmer now, says there’s only so much he can do for him. He crouches down then and tells Guo Changcheng to go back. Chu Shuzhi says: Tell Zhao Yunlan, I am nobody. No courage, no ability. I’m a nobody anyone can trample on. But now, I am going to get back what’s mine. When everything is over I’ll go back and apologize.
  • I love how when Chu Shuzhi rises it goes into a slow-motion style and you can see the tear track down his face, but also his resolve.
  • I find this scene particularly emotional to my brain, because after he tries so hard to scare Guo Changcheng away, and Guo Changcheng isn’t scared away, he finally breaks and admits his real emotions and you can see when he processes through them at the end, when he talks much more softly to Guo Changcheng about going back. When we see Chu Shuzhi reveal how he really sees himself, but also that he’s going to take back what’s his. I have many many feels about this and the music behind the scene is especially good too.

• I am going to speed run through the Ye Zun, Shen Wei, Chu Shuzhi, Guo Changcheng scene, because I feel like this write-up is so so long and there is one other scene I want to throw words around about. XD We transition to Shen Wei chained to the sky pillar! Chu Shuzhi yells for Ye Zun, but before Ye Zun appears Chu Shuzhi spies Shen Wei. You can just see the anger drain from Chu Shuzhi’s face at seeing Hei Pao Shi chained! He moves in to ‘save’ Shen Wei, but Ye Zun finally speaks. The conversation between Ye Zun and Chu Shuzhi is layered, I think. With Ye Zun talking about saving ‘him’, which could at first be construed to saving Hei Pao Shi, but in the end, he means (I think!!) Chu Nianzhi. Ye Zun does the dirty and illusions a Chu Nianzhi which just puts Chu Shuzhi’s heart through the wringer. Guo Changcheng eventually arrives on the scene and finds himself wrapped in dark energy bindings. Poor Chu Shuzhi’s face goes through so many journeys with this, until finally we get to the point where Ye Zun pulls the final straw to try and break Chu Shuzhi. He pretends to kill Guo Changcheng. Chu Shuzhi shouts and cries whereas Ye Zun laughs. I thought that was a nice juxtaposition. Briefly, we see a memory after Chu Shuzhi collapses of the Chu twins as young man where it’s revealed Chu Shuzhi received a letter of admission. It transitions to the Regent reading the same letter/scroll of admission. Before the memory can continue Zhao Yunlan’s voice breaks through with Lao Chu and Chu Shuzhi wakes with a start.

The Dream:

• Chu Shuzhi startles awake and looks visibly confused. Zhao Yunlan tries to confirm with Chu Shuzhi that Shen Wei was chained to the sky pillar. Chu Shuzhi hesitantly agrees and says Shen Wei was unconscious and then he says the most telling line (IMO!!) of: I don’t really know what’s going on. He says Shen Wei didn’t seem in danger but he couldn’t break the chains. He says Ye Zun wouldn’t let him die so easily. Then he says Changcheng was tired, so I sent him back. Chu Shuzhi, still acting confused, says he has to leave now too, but Zhao Yunlan convinces him to go rest in the library, but don’t fall asleep.
  • It’s interesting that when Zhao Yunlan convinces him to stay that when Chu Shuzhi turns back around, he actually stumbles a little bit.

• The next sets of scenes are some of my favorite for Chu Shuzhi for this episode. 😊 Let’s dive in! We see Chu Shuzhi sitting on the couch staring at the little doll in his hands, sans coat and scarves. The music while he looks at the doll is very delicate and soft. It eventually transitions to Chu Shuzhi being asleep (danger danger!!) holding the doll. A hand taps on Chu Shuzhi’s shoulder and suddenly, we hear Guo Changcheng’s voice. Chu Shuzhi wakes up and when he looks over we see a hail and healthy Guo Changcheng. Chu Shuzhi sits up and asks: You’re fine? And Guo Changcheng assures him he’s fine and adds: I was slightly injured but Deputy Chief gave me medicine. Pretty good now. Chu Shuzhi is in disbelief! Disbelief! He asks after Guo Changcheng collapsing back at the sky pillar and Guo Changcheng says he was only playing dead to fool Ye Zun.

• Chu Shuzhi pushes back again saying it’s impossible and Guo Changcheng says: Chu-ge. Aren’t you happy I’m fine? (Nightmare Master is such a manipulator!!!) Chu Shuzhi blinks rapidly but still looks concerned. Guo Changcheng proceeds to say: Do you think it’s a dream? (Sly Nightmare Master, so sly!) and raises his hand and says: I can slap you. You don’t feel pain in a dream. Chu Shuzhi looks at that hand before looking back to Guo Changcheng’s face. Guo Changcheng eventually lowers his hand sheepishly. How could I bear to hit you, Guo Changcheng says. As Guo Changcheng speaks we see Chu Shuzhi furtively pinch his thigh and when he feels the pain he smiles, because it means it’s not a dream (BUT IT IS CHU SHUZHI IT IS). Guo Changcheng possibly takes Chu Shuzhi’s silence as disbelief still and says: Chu-ge, are you afraid I’ll tell everyone what happened in Dixing? So you don’t want me to exist? (again that manipulation! Bad Nightmare Master bad!). Chu Shuzhi is quick to deny and starts to say: I’m just afraid … but before he can finish that thought Guo Changcheng reaches over and takes a hold of his hand. Guo Changcheng reassures Chu-ge with: I don’t blame you. I know what that thing means to you and it’s not like you tried to kill me. I ran there by myself. And I even fooled Ye zun. I was finally clever for once. Chu Shuzhi smiles and laughs a little, and then quietly thanks Guo Changcheng. Guo Changcheng playfully slaps Chu Shuzhi’s hand, and says ‘let’s have some food’. As Guo Changcheng is unpackaging the food you can see Chu Shuzhi start to say something, pause, then whisper: Sorry. Guo Changcheng brushes aside Chu Shuzhi’s apology and urges Chu Shuzhi to eat to eat, but Chu Shuzhi whispers: I’m not hungry. We end with Nightmare Master, I mean Guo Changcheng, tucking Chu Shuzhi back down on the couch to sleep and Chu Shuzhi holding onto Changcheng’s hand and looking him in the face.
  • I must now scream all my thoughts about this particular set of scenes :D
  • First, when Chu Shuzhi was talking to Zhao Yunlan he said he sent Guo Changcheng back, but when they see each other it’s clear Chu Shuzhi knows what happened. Is this because Nightmare Master had made Chu Shuzhi say those words to Zhao Yunlan? A subliminal message/hypnosis as it were? I think so?
  • Second, Chu Shuzhi speaking in such tentative soft tones/whispers, ahhh my heart. My heartttt. MY HEART.
  • Third, how dare Nightmare Master hold Chu Shuzhi’s hand. HOW DARE. And how dare he impersonate Changcheng, HOW DARE.
  • Fourth, do you think the Nightmare Master’s powers give a sense of how a person acts/thinks? That he can fool people so well, or is he just a great manipulator.
  • Fifth, when Chu Shuzhi is looking up at Guo Changcheng at the end there it’s makes my brain read it as: I’m afraid you’re going to disappear and that this IS a dream.

• We return to the dreams where we get a little more back story about Chu Shuzhi and Chu Nianzhi. We find Chu Nianzhi serving punishment for some infraction. Chu Shuzhi brings him bread to eat and takes a turn at holding the pitcher on his head so his brother can eat. They discuss if Chu Shuzhi is really going to go to the palace to work, and Chu Shuzhi says yes, he wants to live a peaceful life. Chu Nianzhi says he wants to be like the great hero Hei Pao Shi and then we switch over to flashes of other memories, the bar scene, the two of them trying to take the blame, and the Regent punishing them both. Hsst at the Regent hsst. (This is also where I feel most confused about the twins story) We transition back to current day to see Chu Shuzhi flinching in his sleep and Guo Changcheng sitting in his chair, eyes closed, hands folded. Chu Shuzhi awakens with a start and Guo Changcheng is there, concerned: Chu-ge, you’re awake. But is Chu Shuzhi? He says: Changcheng. And Guo Changcheng asks what’s wrong. Chu Shuzhi says with alarm: Fire. Fire everywhere. They’re burning me. Guo Changcheng quickly assures Chu Shuzhi that there’s nothing there. That it was a dream. (red alert!) Chu Shuzhi asks: Dream? Guo Changcheng asks if the dream was scary (SHAME ON YOU NIGHTMARE MASTER) and Chu Shuzhi realizes he dropped the doll and reaches down to pick it up. Softly, he says: He’s dead. He died nonetheless. Slowly Chu Shuzhi brings the doll up and presses it against his head.
  • I have a lot of feelings about this scene too.
  • First, when we see Guo Changcheng sitting so calm and composed in the chair is it because he’s using his powers (Nightmare Master that is? My brain says yes!)
  • Second, concerned Changcheng is a lie! *shakes fist at Nightmare Master*
  • I find the whole scene with the doll and the music and where Chu Shuzhi presses it against his head to be very heart-breaking. Like yes, he knows his brother is dead, but it’s like it’s a fresh wound again.

• Finally, our final act has the two walking outside in Haixing, and Chu Shuzhi wishes his dreams were reality and it ends there. I like how there’s a call-back to earlier in the episode when Guo Changcheng was following after Chu Shuzhi in Dixing, but here, instead of anger, there’s just exhaustion from Chu Shuzhi.

Discussion Points:

• What was your favorite part of this particular episode as we continue into the dream arc of the show? Was it Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi arguing several times? Was it the cannibal scene? I’m eager to hear!
• When do you think the dream actually started? Was it when we see Guo Changcheng wake from his nightmare? Or was it after Guo Changcheng was ‘killed’ by Ye Zun? Or is Guo Chancheng really Guo Changcheng in this whole episode? I’m sure you can see my opinion in my write-up of what I think LOL XD
• How do you think Chu Shuzhi got back to the SID after being defeated by Ye Zun? Was it the Nightmare Master’s doing? Do you think Zhao Yunlan had an inkling that something was wrong?
• Also, do you think with how confused Chu Shuzhi was acting that the Nightmare Master used his powers on him to remember things differently, which is why he acted so confused/stumbled and stuttered?
• Do you think when the Nightmare Master impersonates someone he can actually get a sense of the person with his powers? Or is he just real good at reading people and manipulation?
• When the Regent was pretending not to know where Shen Wei was, what do you think that look at the very end was? I felt like it was significant in some ways, but I’m not sure what to read of it.
• I know I sped ran through the Ye Zun part, but I have to say Zhu Yilong’s portal of Ye Zun versus Shen Wei is really awesome. He definitely can play maniacal evil very well. Does everyone have a favorite Ye Zun scene? If so, what it is? :D
• I still feel vaguely confused on the Chu twins background. Can someone confirm that I am not reading things incorrectly and that there are at least two (maybe three) versions of the Chu twins background between 32 and 33? Because I had to run on over to 33 to try and figure out if I was just remembering everything wrong LOL and honestly, I still feel vaguely confused?!

Let’s talk about episode 32!

Come and talk about this episode – anything from favourite scenes or lines of dialogue to notes/questions about continuity or translation, most gorgeous (or angsty) smile, or anything else that strikes your fancy! And share links to your own and/or others’ episode-related meta, picspams, and fanworks, new or old!

PS: Also, a shout out to everyone who has written up/commented/and just squee’d over these rewatches! This community is truly awesome :D Kudos to everyone! And also, please forgive any run on sentences or repeating of myself (I'm pretty sure I repeated some thoughts several times) I fueled myself with a lot of caffeine when writing this :) THANK YOU!

Comments

[china_shop]

Ahhh, what a fabulous post! So many of your little observations and asides made me laugh, and your screen caps are really really great. <3 <3 <3

I find this episode and the next one super confusing, partly because Chu Shuzhi's behaviour is so OTT and at first I read that as an indication it was a dream, but no. He's just Being Like That A Lot, in dream and out. (Also, the way he seems to suddenly switch from Dixing to Haixing after Changcheng is struck down! So confusing!) So thanks for untangling it a bit! <333 (I hope one day someone will make a timeline/outline of the entire dream sequence, because I feel like there might be dreams within dreams sometimes, but I might be wrong? Idk!!)

The Regent is still a bad man.

Hee!

I also think this shows Chu Shuzhi trying to protect his family, even if his words are a touch more rough and blunt.

Yes, good point! I don't think he'd have sent Changcheng into Zhu Hong's dream unprotected, not even with Zhao Yunlan there. He'd have felt too responsible if something had happened.

I’m still on the fence on what the dark energy was for? Was it to cause pain to punish the Nightmare Master or was it so Ye Zun could steal his powers somewhat?

I'm not sure either. Usually Ye Zun has to eat people to gain their power, so maybe this is a threat? Like, "Do a better job, or I'll eat you and do it myself!"?

On another note, we see Zhu Hong smiling at her desk. I couldn’t quite figure out why she was smiling?

Maybe she's pleased with the self-criticism Changcheng wrote her, and feeling smug for having evaded/delegated the punishment?

Also, I’m just going to highlight mean dream Chu Shuzhi and then really vaguely evil mean dream Chu Shuzhi with that tiny little smile on the second picture.

*applauds* That's such a great smirk!

This made me laugh because Da Qing is a very nosey cat! LOL.

Hee! I think he's hoping for something salacious, too, the perv. Or maybe just desperate for good material to tease ZYL with?

Also, can we talk about how Chu Shuzhi is sitting here?

YES, PLEASE, CAN WE? (Has he been taking sprawling lessons from ZYL? *g*)

Minister Gao: You need to recognize your position! Zhao Yunlan: And you need to recognize that you’re not qualified to sit here and judge us.

LOL, I feel like all his political smarts and diplomacy have gone out the window since Shen Wei's been missing. Zhao Yunlan, you can manage Minister Gao better than this!! Zhao Yunlan outright threatens him at the end, there, which is not an advisable way to talk to your superiors, even when they're being very wrong!! /o\ (I suppose Minister Gao wanting to scapegoat Chu Shuzhi pushes a lot of the Zhao Xinci buttons again.)

I find it very interesting how the team is seated. Everyone but Chu Shuzhi sits close together whereas Chu Shuzhi stands off to the side. A clear depiction of his ‘outsider’ status.
I feel like this is more self-imposed by Chu Shuzhi himself, since the discussion the team is having is about protecting Chu Shuzhi.

Agreed! I think he's feeling self-conscious and dreadful. The leak has brought up so many old feelings for him, including epic shame at not protecting Nianzhi, and no one else could ever understand. *pets him very carefully*

Eventually, Zhao Yunlan enters looking quite spry? Happy?

This was another reason I got confused about the dreams -- because this is such a marked contrast with Zhao Yunlan's bad temper at the DoS, and it's just like the start of Changcheng's dream... Is it supposed to be a deliberate misdirect, I wonder? It definitely made me more unsure about what was dream and what wasn't.

But this isn't, so I'm wondering how his mood gets turned around. Via defiance and a resolve to keep the team bolstered and ticking over?

Which calls back to Shen Wei writing Zhao Yunlan’s [self-criticism]

Hahaha, I'd forgotten about that. Perfect!

I just mean the journey of emotions Chu Shuzhi goes through in this particular episode. So many Emotions.

So many!!!!! And so intense!!!!!

For his statement about family is he saying for his actual family line, or his SID family?

I wondered whether Ya Qing had added in some (fake or exaggerated) dirt on Nianzhi, and that was part of what had got Chu Shuzhi so very worked up...

Zhao Yunlan’s line about only knowing violence because Chu Shuzhi is worried is such: AIEE my heart. Chu Shuzhi is seen XD XD XD

HEE! *hearts you* It's such a great line/observation! (And it's so dramatic, because he can be very gentle, you know, especially with Changcheng? But his defence mechanism is so often grumpiness and violence. Understandably!) And I really like Zhao Yunlan talking to him reasonably, acknowledging his feelings and counseling him. This is the mature, capable leader Zhao Yunlan, not the frustrated hothead. ♥

Chu Shuzhi leans over Zhao Yunlan’s desk and offers to bring Professor Shen ‘back to you’. BACK TO YOU.

It's so good!!!!!!! It's like when Zhu Hong is openly jealous of the SW/ZYL relationship. The whole team knows!! :D :D :D

(I was just thinking that Chu Shuzhi offering to bring Shen Wei back is kind of like a temptation dream for Zhao Yunlan. He doesn't need the Master of Nightmares to torment him; he has the RL thing! *pets him*)

We find Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng standing outside the portal to Dixing. Chu Shuzhi talks about having not been back in awhile.

I find the contrast between this journey to Dixing and the later dream journey really interesting. Like, here Chu Shuzhi's affect is flat and unenthusiastic about going to Dixing, but later, in the dream, Dixing is where he locates his happy ever after with Changcheng and Nianzhi. He really does still have a lot of "home" feelings about it.

Eventually Guo Changcheng is booted into the portal by Chu Shuzhi.

Literally, hee! Just like when Zhao Yunlan kicked him out of Zhu Hong's dream. *g*

Is the inhale because Dixing smells like ‘home’ to him, or because he’s mentally preparing for whatever may happen.

I was wondering if it was the smell of imprisonment and subjugation? This was where he was tortured, I think?

You can just feel the ‘I’m absolutely done’ energy from Chu Shuzhi in this whole whole whole scene. I love it!

He has zero time for the Regent, and no compunction about showing it!! I wonder what Shen Wei or Zhao Yunlan would think of him being so open about his attitude, given he represents both of them in different ways. Even if neither of the leaders likes the Regent, they do/might have to work with him in the future.

I thought this bit was interesting:

Regent: Isn't your Chief Zhao his good friend? Doesn't he know [where Hei Pao Shi is]?
CSZ: If you don't know, then just say it. No need to trap me with your questions.

Is Chu Shuzhi actually saying, "I'm not going to out them to you, even if you bait me!" here?!

(he sure is getting his steps in)

LOLOL!! <333

I'm so confused about puppet Nianzhi. Is it a different puppet from the one(s) Chu Shuzhi had before? Are his little puppet that appeared in Zhu Hong's dream, and his bigger puppet he had at the mah jong game separate, or one that changes shape? I need to know!!! *g* And does Ye Zun have the Nianzhi one? (I think I've been wrongly assuming that his regular puppet is Nianzhi... oops.)

In all honesty it reminds me of how Chu Shuzhi used to be in the very beginning episodes with Guo Changcheng.

Just being himself, with all his politeness switched off? *g*

SUCH brave Changcheng, YESSS!!

I think this is interesting because he’s no longer trying to scare Guo Changcheng away, but instead talking about what’s really upsetting him.

That's such a great point, yesss! He's so conflicted about Changcheng being there, wants to protect him, but also finds him comforting, and still utterly trusts him. <3 <3 <3

Chu Shuzhi says: Tell Zhao Yunlan, I am nobody. No courage, no ability. I’m a nobody anyone can trample on.

*cries forever and ever and ever*

As Guo Changcheng speaks we see Chu Shuzhi furtively pinch his thigh and when he feels the pain he smiles, because it means it’s not a dream

Ahhh, I missed that. OH BABY!! <3 <3 <3

First, when Chu Shuzhi was talking to Zhao Yunlan he said he sent Guo Changcheng back, but when they see each other it’s clear Chu Shuzhi knows what happened. Is this because Nightmare Master had made Chu Shuzhi say those words to Zhao Yunlan? A subliminal message/hypnosis as it were?

Oh, that makes sense!

Third, how dare Nightmare Master hold Chu Shuzhi’s hand. HOW DARE. And how dare he impersonate Changcheng, HOW DARE.

RIGHT? HOW VERY DARE!!!

Fourth, do you think the Nightmare Master’s powers give a sense of how a person acts/thinks? That he can fool people so well, or is he just a great manipulator.

I wonder if he can mould the victim's projection? Like, the victim generates the dream, and the Nightmare Master shapes it the way he wants, and sometimes steps into a role.

Thank you for the explanations of the childhood flashbacks -- I get so confused about which twin is which!!

First, when we see Guo Changcheng sitting so calm and composed in the chair is it because he’s using his powers (Nightmare Master that is? My brain says yes!)

That makes sense to me!

How do you think Chu Shuzhi got back to the SID after being defeated by Ye Zun?

I'm unsure about that, too. He wakes up in the SID, and he's sitting at his desk. Zhao Yunlan doesn't seem surprised to see him there, and speaks as if Chu Shuzhi has just been reporting back, but why would Chu Shuzhi be sitting at his desk for that? It's weird!

When the Regent was pretending not to know where Shen Wei was, what do you think that look at the very end was? I felt like it was significant in some ways, but I’m not sure what to read of it.

I think it was a "that's all I'm going to tell you" look. I think the Regent doesn't want to get on Ye Zun's bad side, so he's prevaricating like the weasel he is.

Does everyone have a favorite Ye Zun scene? If so, what it is?

I can't decide between the confrontation with ZYL in the park in ep 20, with the villain monologuing, and when he invades the SID in ep 34. But there might be others I don't remember, too.

I still feel vaguely confused on the Chu twins background. Can someone confirm that I am not reading things incorrectly and that there are at least two (maybe three) versions of the Chu twins background between 32 and 33?

I'm super confused, too. I hope someone will do a scene discussion post on this one day. In the meantime, I think the actual real version is what Chu Shuzhi tells unconscious(?) Changcheng in the SID lab, next episode.

Congrats again on such a great post!!

I might a few more little observations once I've been through my notes, but I'll put them in a separate comment. This is already so long! ;-D

[china_shop]

A few more things:

Zhao Yunlan yelling at Chu Shuzhi to quit is such a "family" kind of fight (by which I mean, he's not holding back; he's letting himself yell his exasperation, trusting Chu Shuzhi not to take him literally). <3 <3 <3

Chu Shuzhi says, "Sometimes, you need to be heartless or you might miss the big picture and regret it forever!" and then proceeds to spend the next two episodes being led around by his heart. *gets Changcheng to give him ALL the hugs*

I love that Da Qing successfully vetoes Zhao Yunlan going to Dixing. And that Zhao Yunlan resists the temptation to let Chu Shuzhi go. ZYL is trying so hard to keep his promise.

Ye Zun: Kill someone by killing the people's trust in them.
So interesting, especially in light of the show's theme of misunderstandings!

Oh, in my notes I have, "Zhao Yunlan comes back to the SID in a fake cheery mood, tries to bolster everyone." So maybe that's why the mood shift?

Zhu Hong volunteering to go to Dixing -- I want that AU!!

When Zhao Yunlan tells Chu Shuzhi he can't go to Dixing, does Chu Shuzhi think that's because Zhao Yunlan does trust him?

Is part of the Regent's agenda that he doesn't want Haixing to know about the domestic unrest?

The Regent tells Chu Shuzhi that Ye Zun left a message saying he'll take good care of Nianzhi. Chu Shuzhi's heart is breaking. The Regent is enjoying this way too much!

I'm impressed that Changcheng manages to find his own way to the pillar.

It weirds me out a little that Chu Shuzhi is so caught up in his Nianzhi feels that he doesn't react more to seeing Shen Wei chained to the pillar.

And then Ye Zun tries to make Chu Shuzhi choose between Nianzhi and Changcheng. /o\ /o\ /o\ And Chu Shuzhi collapses at the pillar and wakes in the SID. How is this not an indicator that it's a dream??

Why does Zhao Yunlan tell Chu Shuzhi to sleep in the library? I wonder if that's an "I don't want you to run into the general public on your way home" order. And aww, CSZ sleeping with the doll. (ARMS!!)

Chu Shuzhi being whipped by the Deacon -- huh. I guess the Deacon got promoted from torturer to cleric/admin? Or torturer is part of the Deacon job?

The Regent punished both twins for one of them's crimes -- that feels like absolute proof of the Regent's unfitness to lead. *headdesk*

Dream: Chu Shuzhi going for a walk by the river, finds Changcheng sleeping at a picnic table -- I feel like that should be a clue! And the Master of Nightmares tells Changcheng's original choking dream to Chu Shuzhi, just to confuse us all further.

[awanderingcoyote]

I totally lied I’m responding to your second comment today XD XD XD

Zhao Yunlan yelling at Chu Shuzhi to quit is such a "family" kind of fight (by which I mean, he's not holding back; he's letting himself yell his exasperation, trusting Chu Shuzhi not to take him literally). <3 <3 <3 - I think this really shows just how much their relationship has evolved from how they were at the beginning of the show to now. It’s such a good thing!

Chu Shuzhi says, "Sometimes, you need to be heartless or you might miss the big picture and regret it forever!" and then proceeds to spend the next two episodes being led around by his heart. *gets Changcheng to give him ALL the hugs* - OMG YES. I can only just say 100% agree with this. Such led around by his heart. :heartheart!:

I love that Da Qing successfully vetoes Zhao Yunlan going to Dixing. And that Zhao Yunlan resists the temptation to let Chu Shuzhi go. ZYL is trying so hard to keep his promise. - You can tell ZYL really really wanted to go (and wanted to let Chu Shuzhi go), that little part before he says no to Chu Shuzhi, where he opens his mouth just the smallest ready to say yes right there. Chef’s kiss!

Oh, in my notes I have, "Zhao Yunlan comes back to the SID in a fake cheery mood, tries to bolster everyone." So maybe that's why the mood shift? - I could definitely see him doing that! The whole: I’m the leader I’ll shoulder the burden of worries.

Zhu Hong volunteering to go to Dixing -- I want that AU!! - You should put it in your wishlist!! XD XD

When Zhao Yunlan tells Chu Shuzhi he can't go to Dixing, does Chu Shuzhi think that's because Zhao Yunlan does trust him? -

Is part of the Regent's agenda that he doesn't want Haixing to know about the domestic unrest? - I could see that. He already has Ye Zun trying to take everything over, perhaps he’s worried Haixing will try to do something to settle the domestic unrest in Dixing. The Regent is always only ever out to make sure he stays alive, but also has power (IMO). XD

The Regent tells Chu Shuzhi that Ye Zun left a message saying he'll take good care of Nianzhi. Chu Shuzhi's heart is breaking. The Regent is enjoying this way too much! - RIGHT RIGHT! Look at him gremlin laughing as Chu Shuzhi realizes what has happened to his brother. *sobsobsob*

I'm impressed that Changcheng manages to find his own way to the pillar. - When his Chu-ge is in trouble his competency shines forth XD

It weirds me out a little that Chu Shuzhi is so caught up in his Nianzhi feels that he doesn't react more to seeing Shen Wei chained to the pillar. - This is a tough one for me. I can totally see what you’re saying, and there does seem to be a lack of OMG HPS!!, but as a RL twin I can tell you if something happened to my twin I would be of a similar mind as Chu Shuzhi. :D Everyone else back seat XD

And then Ye Zun tries to make Chu Shuzhi choose between Nianzhi and Changcheng. /o\ /o\ /o\ And Chu Shuzhi collapses at the pillar and wakes in the SID. How is this not an indicator that it's a dream?? - Poor Poor Chu Shuzhi. And yes! It is such a good indicator that his dream has started! 100%!!!

Why does Zhao Yunlan tell Chu Shuzhi to sleep in the library? I wonder if that's an "I don't want you to run into the general public on your way home" order. And aww, CSZ sleeping with the doll. (ARMS!!) - ARMS!!!! Also, if this is potentially the true beginning of Chu Shuzhi’s dream, then perhaps the Nightmare Master is having ZYL say that, because he doesn’t want to lose sight of Chu Shuzhi? Wants to keep tabs on him?!

Chu Shuzhi being whipped by the Deacon -- huh. I guess the Deacon got promoted from torturer to cleric/admin? Or torturer is part of the Deacon job? - The Deacon is definitely a Regent Jr., for real for real.

The Regent punished both twins for one of them's crimes -- that feels like absolute proof of the Regent's unfitness to lead. *headdesk* 100% agree!!! It’d be interesting to see the back story of how he came to be the Regent in some form :D I don’t remember too much background about the Regent in the show?

Dream: Chu Shuzhi going for a walk by the river, finds Changcheng sleeping at a picnic table -- I feel like that should be a clue! And the Master of Nightmares tells Changcheng's original choking dream to Chu Shuzhi, just to confuse us all further. - Such clue such clue! But it’s like the Jedi mind trick, right? ‘It’s perfectly normal to find a sleeping Changcheng here’. XD XD
Thank you again for the lovely comments on this post! I appreciate it!!

[china_shop]

I totally lied I’m responding to your second comment today XD XD XD

Hee! *hearts you*

I think this really shows just how much their relationship has evolved from how they were at the beginning of the show to now. It’s such a good thing!

Oh, that's such a good point, yes. They have an expectation of trust now, and in ZYL's eyes, CSZ broke that by sending the puppet into ZH's dream, BUT their relationship is stronger than it used to be, so this is a disagreement rather than a genuine firing. *g*

I could definitely see him doing that! The whole: I’m the leader I’ll shoulder the burden of worries.

Yes, that! Plus: All this worrying is making my team less effective and functional. *pets everyone*

Zhu Hong volunteering to go to Dixing -- I want that AU!! - You should put it in your wishlist!! XD XD

Haha, you're so right. I absolutely should!

I'm impressed that Changcheng manages to find his own way to the pillar. - When his Chu-ge is in trouble his competency shines forth XD

100%! *heartshearts*

but as a RL twin I can tell you if something happened to my twin I would be of a similar mind as Chu Shuzhi. :D Everyone else back seat XD

Oh, that's cool to know. Yeah, now you say that, it does make total sense. <3 *pets Chu Shuzhi so much*

Also, if this is potentially the true beginning of Chu Shuzhi’s dream, then perhaps the Nightmare Master is having ZYL say that, because he doesn’t want to lose sight of Chu Shuzhi? Wants to keep tabs on him?!

Or, ooh, wants to keep him close to the Hallows, since those are his ultimate goal??

I don’t remember too much background about the Regent in the show?

No, me neither. It's like he's always been there...

But it’s like the Jedi mind trick, right? ‘It’s perfectly normal to find a sleeping Changcheng here’. XD XD

Ha, yes! Lots of Jedi mind trick, lots of dream logic. I guess we can't expect Chu Shuzhi to see through all of it. *g*

<3 <3 <3

[trobadora]

Zhao Yunlan yelling at Chu Shuzhi to quit is such a "family" kind of fight (by which I mean, he's not holding back; he's letting himself yell his exasperation, trusting Chu Shuzhi not to take him literally). <3 <3 <3

Yeah, there's such a contrast between his anger at Chu Shuzhi here and his anger at Minister Gao later! It's really striking.

Zhu Hong volunteering to go to Dixing -- I want that AU!!

Yes, I would love to see that, honestly! Especially since she's never been to Dixing before, it would be fascinating to see her perspective!

Is part of the Regent's agenda that he doesn't want Haixing to know about the domestic unrest?

Oh, that might make some sense! *ponders*

Why does Zhao Yunlan tell Chu Shuzhi to sleep in the library?

He doesn't, though - he specifically warns him not to sleep. He tells him to rest, which makes sense because Chu Shuzhi is so shaky and out of it, he's clearly no use for anything else and not safe to send home on his own.

Chu Shuzhi being whipped by the Deacon -- huh. I guess the Deacon got promoted from torturer to cleric/admin? Or torturer is part of the Deacon job?

The first time Shen Wei meets him in the present, it's said he took over Ding Dun's job, so presumably before then he had a different job.

The Regent punished both twins for one of them's crimes -- that feels like absolute proof of the Regent's unfitness to lead. *headdesk*

Yeah, such a very Regent form of evil!

[china_shop]

He doesn't, though - he specifically warns him not to sleep. He tells him to rest, which makes sense because Chu Shuzhi is so shaky and out of it, he's clearly no use for anything else and not safe to send home on his own.

Oh, right. Good point. Thanks!

The first time Shen Wei meets him in the present, it's said he took over Ding Dun's job, so presumably before then he had a different job.

Yes, but we don't know when that happened, right? There's no sign of Ding Dun in any of these flashbacks...

> > The Regent punished both twins for one of them's crimes -- that feels like absolute proof of the Regent's unfitness to lead. *headdesk*
> Yeah, such a very Regent form of evil!

I'm briefly confused again -- did that happen in reality or in a dream?

[trobadora]

Yes, but we don't know when that happened, right? There's no sign of Ding Dun in any of these flashbacks...

Shen Wei says in episode 8, when he's recruitng the SID to search for Ding Dun, that he's a civil servant in the palace who Shen Wei discovered a few days ago had deliberately infiltrated the palace. (I have to assume he's simplifying things for the SID there, since IIRC we see Ding Dun in a different role working for the palace in the bit after YOHE about the Envoy waking up ...) Anyway, I think that does mean Ding Dun was in his position until around episode 8 and then, when he fled after being exposed as Ye Zun's agent, the Attendant/Deacon/whatever we're calling him got his old job.

I'm briefly confused again -- did that happen in reality or in a dream?

Honestly, I don't know - it might have happened in both versions, just with the twins' roles swapped? But it might not; I hope next episode will make that clearer. Either way it's very in character for the Regent!

[awanderingcoyote]

Ahhh, what a fabulous post! So many of your little observations and asides made me laugh, and your screen caps are really really great. <3 <3 <3 - AHH I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and it made you laugh :D

I find this episode and the next one super confusing, partly because Chu Shuzhi's behaviour is so OTT and at first I read that as an indication it was a dream, but no. He's just Being Like That A Lot, in dream and out. (Also, the way he seems to suddenly switch from Dixing to Haixing after Changcheng is struck down! So confusing!) So thanks for untangling it a bit! <333 (I hope one day someone will make a timeline/outline of the entire dream sequence, because I feel like there might be dreams within dreams sometimes, but I might be wrong? Idk!!) - The whole ChuGuo dream arc is definitely very confusing! I think in this episode Chu Shuzhi tells the twins story reversed, then in 33 he tells the actual story. I added the idea of making a timeline/outline to my WIP list XD I can’t promise I’ll ever finish it but that’s such a good idea!

Yes, good point! I don't think he'd have sent Changcheng into Zhu Hong's dream unprotected, not even with Zhao Yunlan there. He'd have felt too responsible if something had happened. - I agree. I don’t think he’d have sent Changcheng in if he thought it was far too dangerous.

I'm not sure either. Usually Ye Zun has to eat people to gain their power, so maybe this is a threat? Like, "Do a better job, or I'll eat you and do it myself!"? - Agree! Showing him light consequences, as it were, before bad ones occur. Oh Ye Zun XD

Maybe she's pleased with the self-criticism Changcheng wrote her, and feeling smug for having evaded/delegated the punishment? - OH I bet you’re right! I didn’t even think of that, even though I talked about the self-criticism! Awesome insight.

Hee! I think he's hoping for something salacious, too, the perv. Or maybe just desperate for good material to tease ZYL with? - Oh I think D, all of the above XD Gossip, pervy and teasing ZYL!

YES, PLEASE, CAN WE? (Has he been taking sprawling lessons from ZYL? *g*) - LOL HE SURE HAS.

LOL, I feel like all his political smarts and diplomacy have gone out the window since Shen Wei's been missing. Zhao Yunlan, you can manage Minister Gao better than this!! Zhao Yunlan outright threatens him at the end, there, which is not an advisable way to talk to your superiors, even when they're being very wrong!! /o\ (I suppose Minister Gao wanting to scapegoat Chu Shuzhi pushes a lot of the Zhao Xinci buttons again.) - Oooh such a good point. He knows how to play by the rules and has just discarded them! But I agree, I think it pushes a lot of ZXC buttons for ZYL!

Agreed! I think he's feeling self-conscious and dreadful. The leak has brought up so many old feelings for him, including epic shame at not protecting Nianzhi, and no one else could ever understand. *pets him very carefully* - Yes, to everything you said here! Such yes!



This was another reason I got confused about the dreams -- because this is such a marked contrast with Zhao Yunlan's bad temper at the DoS, and it's just like the start of Changcheng's dream... Is it supposed to be a deliberate misdirect, I wonder? It definitely made me more unsure about what was dream and what wasn't.

But this isn't, so I'm wondering how his mood gets turned around. Via defiance and a resolve to keep the team bolstered and ticking over? - Oh what an interesting thought. I never initially read this as a dream, it was just very confusing that he was so spry/happy/upbeat, but it I can see how it mirrors Guo Changcheng’s dream! But I agree I think since he’s protected Chu Shuzhi, as it were, he’s feeling more positive in the moment.

I wondered whether Ya Qing had added in some (fake or exaggerated) dirt on Nianzhi, and that was part of what had got Chu Shuzhi so very worked up... - Oh. That would be interesting to explore in a fic :D I could definitely see Ya Qing making it worse, to switch the focus from Ye Zun and his forces as a massive deflection/misdirection on who the real enemy is.

HEE! *hearts you* It's such a great line/observation! (And it's so dramatic, because he can be very gentle, you know, especially with Changcheng? But his defence mechanism is so often grumpiness and violence. Understandably!) And I really like Zhao Yunlan talking to him reasonably, acknowledging his feelings and counseling him. This is the mature, capable leader Zhao Yunlan, not the frustrated hothead. ♥ - I love that ZYL is talking to him in that reasonable way as well! And the counseling, yes! Ah the team fam feels here. It is definitely mature capable ZYL which is always awesome to see :D


It's so good!!!!!!! It's like when Zhu Hong is openly jealous of the SW/ZYL relationship. The whole team knows!! :D :D :D - THE WHOLE TEAM KNOWS! XD XD

(I was just thinking that Chu Shuzhi offering to bring Shen Wei back is kind of like a temptation dream for Zhao Yunlan. He doesn't need the Master of Nightmares to torment him; he has the RL thing! *pets him*) - OH yes! That would be a great temptation dream. It would be interesting to see everyone’s Nightmare Master dreams, so much heart ache in them.

I find the contrast between this journey to Dixing and the later dream journey really interesting. Like, here Chu Shuzhi's affect is flat and unenthusiastic about going to Dixing, but later, in the dream, Dixing is where he locates his happy ever after with Changcheng and Nianzhi. He really does still have a lot of "home" feelings about it. - He really does have a lot of “home” feelings, such agreement there. Yes, he’s found a new family, as it were, with the SID and Changcheng, but there’s still always that missing piece without his brother, and also Dixing too. My brain always fills the blanks in with Chu Shuzhi pushing aside those feelings for the last 3 years, his brother, Dixing, but here now, when faced with the portal he has to confront all those things.


I was wondering if it was the smell of imprisonment and subjugation? This was where he was tortured, I think? - Ohhh that’s such a good thought. Yes. Now I am having the feels again for Chu Shuzhi! I mean I always do, but more so now.

He has zero time for the Regent, and no compunction about showing it!! I wonder what Shen Wei or Zhao Yunlan would think of him being so open about his attitude, given he represents both of them in different ways. Even if neither of the leaders likes the Regent, they do/might have to work with him in the future. - I think both Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan might wish him to be a bit more diplomatic, yes XD Not quite so open with his hatred of the Regent/dismissive of the Regent. I mean sure we all want to burn bridges with the Regent, but not quite yet.

Regent: Isn't your Chief Zhao his good friend? Doesn't he know [where Hei Pao Shi is]?
CSZ: If you don't know, then just say it. No need to trap me with your questions.

Is Chu Shuzhi actually saying, "I'm not going to out them to you, even if you bait me!" here?! - I do feel like the Regent is baiting Chu Shuzhi with that line. I’m not sure I read it as ‘I’m not going to out them to you, even if you bait me!’. I think my brain parsed it more like: I’m not playing these games with you so get on with it.


I'm so confused about puppet Nianzhi. Is it a different puppet from the one(s) Chu Shuzhi had before? Are his little puppet that appeared in Zhu Hong's dream, and his bigger puppet he had at the mah jong game separate, or one that changes shape? I need to know!!! *g* And does Ye Zun have the Nianzhi one? (I think I've been wrongly assuming that his regular puppet is Nianzhi... oops.) - OH! I meant to bring this up to, but I had put in so many other words I forgot. I TOO HAD this same thought. I thought they were the same?! But I do think after rewatching it they are two different puppet/dolls. I think I too also assumed regular puppet was Nianzhi, but after rewatching the episode it does seem like Ye Zun has Nianzhi’s last living place/Nianzhi’s actual puppet. I think there are three puppets altogether. Big puppet, small puppet (though perhaps he has multiple small puppets?!), and then Nianzhi’s puppet. It is so very confusing LOL. I always wondered if he also built/carved his own puppet/dolls, or are they heirlooms/relics? Perhaps both!

That's such a great point, yesss! He's so conflicted about Changcheng being there, wants to protect him, but also finds him comforting, and still utterly trusts him. <3 <3 <3 - YES to everything you said here! So conflicted, but also glad because he’s not alone? But also wants to protect him from the dangers of Dixing, the Regent, Ye Zun, in some ways Chu Shuzhi himself, or perhaps the danger that Chu Shuzhi will have to go into. Maybe both XD

*cries forever and ever and ever* - I’ll just cry with you. So much my heart. So much.

Ahhh, I missed that. OH BABY!! <3 <3 <3 - I will not say how many times I have watched this particular scene to spot it, but yes! XD

I wonder if he can mould the victim's projection? Like, the victim generates the dream, and the Nightmare Master shapes it the way he wants, and sometimes steps into a role. - OH, yes, that’s an interesting thought, yes! I like that, that it’s kind of like on autopilot until he steps into the role and tries to direct things. I love this HC!

Thank you for the explanations of the childhood flashbacks -- I get so confused about which twin is which!! - So confusing XD LOL.

I'm unsure about that, too. He wakes up in the SID, and he's sitting at his desk. Zhao Yunlan doesn't seem surprised to see him there, and speaks as if Chu Shuzhi has just been reporting back, but why would Chu Shuzhi be sitting at his desk for that? It's weird! - It is definitely weird! But we can definitely hand wave it to Nightmare Master antics XD XD

I think it was a "that's all I'm going to tell you" look. I think the Regent doesn't want to get on Ye Zun's bad side, so he's prevaricating like the weasel he is. - He is such a weasel, yes XD


I can't decide between the confrontation with ZYL in the park in ep 20, with the villain monologuing, and when he invades the SID in ep 34. But there might be others I don't remember, too. - I do love episode 20 :D YES. And 34 as well :D I’m right there with you!

I'm super confused, too. I hope someone will do a scene discussion post on this one day. In the meantime, I think the actual real version is what Chu Shuzhi tells unconscious(?) Changcheng in the SID lab, next episode. - I agree. I think Chu Shuzhi is telling the truth when Guo Changcheng is unconscious!! But it is so so so confusing. XD XD XD

THANK YOU so much for taking the time out to read my lengthy post and commenting such lovely things! I know you added a second comment which I will definitely respond to tomorrow when RL isn’t chomping on me so intensely!

THANK YOU!! :heartheart:

[china_shop]

The whole ChuGuo dream arc is definitely very confusing! I think in this episode Chu Shuzhi tells the twins story reversed, then in 33 he tells the actual story.

Ohhh, is that it? Got it. So it's Nianzhi who wanted to work at the palace, and Shuzhi who always wanted to be like HPS? That makes sense! *g* (*cheers on your outline-making, if you ever find the time (but with zero pressure!)* :-)

I don’t think he’d have sent Changcheng in if he thought it was far too dangerous.

I wonder what he expected Changcheng to do in Zhu Hong's dream... Maybe just interrupt whatever was going on between Zhu Hong and Zhao Yunlan? *g*

But I agree I think since he’s protected Chu Shuzhi, as it were, he’s feeling more positive in the moment.

Yes, I think you're right. He's taken a stand, and that feels much better than just waiting.

Yes, he’s found a new family, as it were, with the SID and Changcheng, but there’s still always that missing piece without his brother, and also Dixing too. My brain always fills the blanks in with Chu Shuzhi pushing aside those feelings for the last 3 years, his brother, Dixing, but here now, when faced with the portal he has to confront all those things.

Yes, agreed! He's such an interesting contrast with Shen Wei, isn't he? I mean, Shen Wei still clearly cares a great deal about Dixing and his people, while also having made a life and established an academic career in Haixing; Chu Shuzhi hasn't integrated nearly as much, he exists in Haixing only as a Dixingren representative, doesn't seem to have any Haixing-specific hobbies, and he has all these conflicted feelings about Dixing, too. /uhh, not sure how coherent this is

Now I am having the feels again for Chu Shuzhi! I mean I always do, but more so now.

Hee! *hearts you*

I think my brain parsed it more like: I’m not playing these games with you so get on with it.

That makes sense! I just wondered what exactly he thought the trap was... but yeah, the Regent is just playing games, isn't he?

I think I too also assumed regular puppet was Nianzhi

Right? He always treats it so carefully and tenderly, and gets angry when anyone tries to touch it. Why would that matter if there's no one inside?

I think there are three puppets altogether. Big puppet, small puppet (though perhaps he has multiple small puppets?!), and then Nianzhi’s puppet. It is so very confusing LOL.

So confusing! We never actually see Nianzhi's puppet, do we?

But also wants to protect him from the dangers of Dixing, the Regent, Ye Zun, in some ways Chu Shuzhi himself, or perhaps the danger that Chu Shuzhi will have to go into. Maybe both XD

Oh, yes, I think both, too. (I think Chu Shuzhi knows very well how dangerous he is when his emotions get out of control, as well as how dangerous Dixing is at the moment.)

I'm unsure about that, too. He wakes up in the SID, and he's sitting at his desk. Zhao Yunlan doesn't seem surprised to see him there, and speaks as if Chu Shuzhi has just been reporting back, but why would Chu Shuzhi be sitting at his desk for that? It's weird! - It is definitely weird! But we can definitely hand wave it to Nightmare Master antics XD XD

But that bit isn't a dream, is it? The bit where he tells Zhao Yunlan what happened, and Zhao Yunlan tells him to sleep in the library? (Or is it? *is confused all over again, argh*)

I agree. I think Chu Shuzhi is telling the truth when Guo Changcheng is unconscious!!

*high fives you* <3

Thank you again for such an awesome write-up! <333

[trobadora]

Right? He always treats it so carefully and tenderly, and gets angry when anyone tries to touch it. Why would that matter if there's no one inside?

I just had a thought - I wonder if it's that he and Nianzhi had corresponding puppets, and he wasn't allowed to take Nianzhi's with him to Haixing, so now every time he sees his own he's reminded of Nianzhi's?

[china_shop]

I didn't get the impression Nianzhi had powers. In one of the ep 33 flashbacks, he says, "Could you stop fiddling with that puppet?" and I thought that line was there partly to distinguish between the twins? (I might be wildly wrong...)

[trobadora]

Huh, I'll have to pay attention to that when I rewatch episode 33! I guess I'll come back to this then. :)

[trobadora]

I added the idea of making a timeline/outline to my WIP list XD I can’t promise I’ll ever finish it but that’s such a good idea!

Just wanted to add taht I would also love to see a timeline!

[trobadora]

(I hope one day someone will make a timeline/outline of the entire dream sequence, because I feel like there might be dreams within dreams sometimes, but I might be wrong? Idk!!)

Yeah, dreams within dreams! My theory is in my comment below – hope it makes sense!

I don't think he'd have sent Changcheng into Zhu Hong's dream unprotected, not even with Zhao Yunlan there. He'd have felt too responsible if something had happened.

Yeah! And Zhao Yunlan is disregarding that he himself had disappeared into Zhu Hong's dream, leaving Lao-Chu feeling responsible for both of them. And when he couldn't go after them himself (because people were trying to shut down the SID!), he did the next best thing – send Guo Changcheng with as much protection as he could provide.

Like, "Do a better job, or I'll eat you and do it myself!"?

Yeah, that's what I eventually decided too. *g*

Maybe she's pleased with the self-criticism Changcheng wrote her, and feeling smug for having evaded/delegated the punishment?

Hee! I love that. :D

Or maybe just desperate for good material to tease ZYL with?

Something he can tease both of them with! :D

(I suppose Minister Gao wanting to scapegoat Chu Shuzhi pushes a lot of the Zhao Xinci buttons again.)

Oooh, yeah, that's a great point!

It's so good!!!!!!! It's like when Zhu Hong is openly jealous of the SW/ZYL relationship. The whole team knows!! :D :D :D

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

(I was just thinking that Chu Shuzhi offering to bring Shen Wei back is kind of like a temptation dream for Zhao Yunlan. He doesn't need the Master of Nightmares to torment him; he has the RL thing! *pets him*)

OHHHHH this is a great observation! I love it! :D

Like, here Chu Shuzhi's affect is flat and unenthusiastic about going to Dixing, but later, in the dream, Dixing is where he locates his happy ever after with Changcheng and Nianzhi. He really does still have a lot of "home" feelings about it.

Such a great point! And I always loved that "happy ending in Dixing" is a thing he dreams about. ♥

I'm so confused about puppet Nianzhi. Is it a different puppet from the one(s) Chu Shuzhi had before? Are his little puppet that appeared in Zhu Hong's dream, and his bigger puppet he had at the mah jong game separate, or one that changes shape? I need to know!!! *g* And does Ye Zun have the Nianzhi one? (I think I've been wrongly assuming that his regular puppet is Nianzhi... oops.)

I'm SO confused about the puppets too! I hope next episode will clarify something ...

I'm unsure about that, too. He wakes up in the SID, and he's sitting at his desk. Zhao Yunlan doesn't seem surprised to see him there, and speaks as if Chu Shuzhi has just been reporting back, but why would Chu Shuzhi be sitting at his desk for that? It's weird!

I think he came back to report and sat down (because of how unsteady on his feet he is later in this scene), and then dozed off for a moment, allowing the Nightmare Master to give him a bit of a fake-flashback dream.

I think the Regent doesn't want to get on Ye Zun's bad side, so he's prevaricating like the weasel he is.

I wonder if this is a case like with Shen Wei, where the Regent might have hoped that the Envoy could do something about Ye Zun but wasn't willing to personally step in to help him? So here he might be passing on Ye Zun's messages and not doing anything that might get Ye Zun upset with him, but he's also hoping the SID can do something that might improve the situation? Idk, I can't get a handle on him here.

[china_shop]

Yeah! And Zhao Yunlan is disregarding that he himself had disappeared into Zhu Hong's dream, leaving Lao-Chu feeling responsible for both of them. And when he couldn't go after them himself (because people were trying to shut down the SID!), he did the next best thing – send Guo Changcheng with as much protection as he could provide.

I suspect Zhao Yunlan thinks Chu Shuzhi should have trusted him to handle it.

And I always loved that "happy ending in Dixing" is a thing he dreams about. ♥

Yes! Especially since he's one of the few Dixingren permitted to live in Haixing legally. He doesn't have to hide or scrape to live, but still, home is home.

I think he came back to report and sat down (because of how unsteady on his feet he is later in this scene), and then dozed off for a moment, allowing the Nightmare Master to give him a bit of a fake-flashback dream.

Oh, okay. That makes sense. It seems to have been edited for maximum confusion, though.

I wonder if this is a case like with Shen Wei, where the Regent might have hoped that the Envoy could do something about Ye Zun but wasn't willing to personally step in to help him? So here he might be passing on Ye Zun's messages and not doing anything that might get Ye Zun upset with him, but he's also hoping the SID can do something that might improve the situation? Idk, I can't get a handle on him here.

Maybe -- but he's clearly taking some pleasure in tormenting Chu Shuzhi, too, which seems counterproductive?

[trobadora]

I suspect Zhao Yunlan thinks Chu Shuzhi should have trusted him to handle it.

Yes, but he's conveniently forgetting that Chu Shuzhi has no way of knowing he's handling anything and hasn't just fallen prey to the dream power like Zhu Hong.

Yes! Especially since he's one of the few Dixingren permitted to live in Haixing legally. He doesn't have to hide or scrape to live, but still, home is home.

Yes, that's such a good point! He has more of a choice than most, and despite his distinctly negative feelings about a lot of things regarding Dixing, it's still home. ♥

It seems to have been edited for maximum confusion, though.

Yeah, honestly, I think this sequence is full of a lot of misdirection and red herrings, deliberately confusing dream and reality, and because there's no clear reveal at the end where we get it all spelled out for us which part is which, it ends up not quite working as well as it might have.

Maybe -- but he's clearly taking some pleasure in tormenting Chu Shuzhi, too, which seems counterproductive?

Because he's evil, and he can't resist taunting Chu Shuzhi? Honestly, a lot of what he does strikes me as counterproductive.

[china_shop]

Yeah, honestly, I think this sequence is full of a lot of misdirection and red herrings, deliberately confusing dream and reality, and because there's no clear reveal at the end where we get it all spelled out for us which part is which, it ends up not quite working as well as it might have.

Chu Shuzhi does list his dreams, so that helps a bit. /a detail for next episode

[trobadora]

Yeah, good point! I didn't remember that at all.