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sid_guardian2024-05-12 01:00 pm
Scene Discussion: Episode 15: The Regent
However, I didn’t realize how big of a project this would be and I’m only halfway through the episodes. So, If I fits I sit will be for my next weekend I sign-up for!
For this weekend, I decided to go with a small screen discussion, centering around episode 15. There are so many things I love about episode 15. I love when Shen Wei goes all HPS on the Regent. I love when ZYL gets to see Shen Wei go all HPS on the regent, and I also love the part where they go to Dixing together for the first time!
But for this particular discussion I am feeling lots of Chu Shuzhi feels today, so I decided to review the part where Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi encounter the regent in his Haixingren disguise.
It starts at the 21:04 mark and ends at 24:58.
We start out with a gray-haired man looking around himself.
I find this camera angle so interesting! 
The (unknown to me at that time) Regent crosses the street but a trunk almost hits him.
Our good bean Guo Changcheng just so happens to be walking down a nearby street (reading a book!!) and sees the accident.
Can anyone tell what book he’s reading? I can make out Combat, so I think it’s a self-defense book, which if it is OMG. THIS IS ADORABLE. He’s reading up on fighting to help him learn faster/better with Chu-ge?!?! I never noticed this on my initial watches!!
Guo Changcheng runs over and helps the Regent up.
Eventually the driver of the truck/van gets out and between Guo Changcheng and the driver they get the Regent up off the ground. The Regent assures the driver he’s fine.
Interestingly the Regent says: The cars on the surface are so different. Neither the driver nor Guo Changcheng react to it. Which to my brain makes sense because in the moment it’s still like: Oh no is he hurt/is he okay/adrenaline!!!
The driver eventually leaves, and Guo Changcheng urges the Regent to take a seat off to the side. Guo Changcheng asks if he should take the Regent to the hospital (because he’s such a good bean!). Eventually an alarm sounds and Gou Changcheng reaches for his phone in his pocket.
Guo Changcheng needs to go because he is late for work!
I also think this is incredibly adorable that he has an alarm set for work!! :D
Guo Changcheng urges the Regent to be careful when crossing the road. XD XD
We transition to Guo Changcheng turning the corner of a building and rapidly (sometimes jogging) down the little alleyway-between buildings. He’s late for work!
As Guo Changcheng is running-jogging down the street a familiar person arrives. The Regent.
I love the music they play here. It’s very mysterious-slightly sinister-surprise. :D
We can clearly see Changcheng is surprised!
Guo Changcheng asks what the Regent is doing here and the Regent says he is lost.
Is he though? IS HE? XD
Guo Changcheng asks if he’s trying to go home, and the Regent says his home isn’t here. He continues with: Not anywhere here. It’s been years since I’ve seen the sunlight.
Guo Changcheng says that’s a shame, and seems very uncomfortable, or possibly anxious since he’s LATE FOR WORK!
They proceed to have a conversation about the Regent’s kids being too busy to help the Regent, and the Regent reveals he’s childless.
Poor Guo Changcheng XD he’s just trying to get to WORK. He doesn’t want to disappointment Chu-ge and his team XD
Either way, the Regent says his life is destined to be a lonely one and Guo Changcheng says I’m sorry for your suffering. The Regent then says Boy, we can suffer together. 
Guo Changcheng is definitely confused up until the Regent reveals he could tell Guo Changcheng was a kind person and can he help him find the place he’s looking for. The Regent reveals he has an appointment there this morning.
Guo Changcheng TRIES to protest saying he’s late for work but the Regent gives him Regent-puppy-dog-eyes and our poor Xiao Guo folds.
Guo Changcheng asks for the address and the Regent reveals the address to be Number Four, Bright Road.
DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN.
Guo Changcheng’s surprise/shock is very evident. Very surprised Pikachu look here. XD
We transition to Guo Changcheng leading the Regent to the SID HQ where Chu Shuzhi steps out of the doorway to meet Guo Changcheng.
I love this wide shot of the SID and the street and the other businesses!
PS: Do you think Chu-ge was specifically looking for Guo Changcheng?! I DO :D
Here we get a nice shot of Chu Shuzhi looking stern and currently unaware that the Regent is nearby.
I think it’s interesting that he’s looking out at the street and then turns to look at Guo Changcheng. Is he specifically making it seem like he isn’t waiting for Guo Changcheng? XD
Poor Guo Changcheng apologies and Chu Shuzhi replies with: Oh? You learn to be late now?
Guo Changcheng is quick to assure Chu-ge there IS a reason!
It’s because of the Regent.
I love how this frame initially has its focus on Guo Changcheng so that the Regent is unfocused and then when Guo Changcheng points at him it all comes into focus. 
The Regent sees Chu Shuzhi and immediately says: Look who we have here, Xiao Chu?
The Regent adds: Long time no see.
And Chu Shuzhi's expression starts to shift to angry disbelief.
Angry Chu Shuzhi grabs the Regent by the neck and says: It’s you.
Guo Changcheng immediately grabs Chu Shuzhi’s arm and asks: Chu-ge, what are you doing!
I love how everyone in the background is watching it all like: Ooooh what’s going on there!!
Chu-ge switches hands and shoves Changcheng away!
I just have to point out look at the Regent’s expression. Such a smile of pleasure at all of this!
After Chu-ge shoves Guo Changcheng away we refocus on the Regent who is looking even MORE SMUG.
Intense Chu-ge is INTENSE.
Thankfully (for the Regent not Chu-ge) Zhao Yunlan makes his appearance! Just realized there's that theme of people being in-between people!
Chu-ge, however, will not release the Regent.
You can just see Zhao Yunlan’s annoyance here.
He eventually steps over to the two and pushes Chu-ge away.
People in the background still watching XD
It’s hard to capture but when Zhao Yunlan shoves Chu-ge aside Guo Changcheng catches his arm to steady him.
Zhao Yunlan also reprimands Chu-ge about fighting while in public.
Which begs the question would inside the SID have been better? XD XD XD
Zhao Yunlan continues with: are you hypnotized by black energy?
You can also see the Regent is still smiling with the uptilt of the muscle in his cheek from this profile view.
Chu Shuzhi looks pretty done with all this non-sense!
Though really, I read this as shock. Perhaps shocked that Zhao Yunlan would forcefully shove him aside? Or perhaps shock at his own actions. Or maybe shock that he was stopped? Or maybe he’s determining if he could just shove Zhao Yunlan aside and continue his attack on the Regent XD Honestly it could be a mixture of all of that! But either way he’s angrily shocked, or so my brain reads it!
Oh here is some more in-between people! :D I love this motif I've recently noticed in the show :D
A nice little shot of the group (and the background people still watching LOL).
I do feel like you can just see the tension zinging between Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi with his shot.
The Regent also finally speaks and says: Lord Guardian, you are finally here. 
We have a shot of Zhao Yunlan clasping hands with the Regent and an unfocused Guo Changcheng in the background but between their clasped hands.
The camera then turns to Chu-ge and he still looks intense.
It then shifts to showing the Regent and Zhao Yunlan, with Zhao Yunlan saying they’ve been waiting a long time for you (the Regent).
Again, the interesting shot where in-between the two is a person, this time Chu Shuzhi who’s unfocused.
Chu Shuzhi stomps angrily away while Zhao Yunlan motions for the Regent to enter. Only after Chu Shuzhi and the Regent are inside do we wend on Zhao Yunlan’s gregarious expression turning less so.
Points to Ponder:
- I remember when I originally watched this episode I did NOT make the initial connection that he was the Regent. Did anyone else miss that? LOLOL.
- Do you think the Regent running into Guo Changcheng was innocent? Or did he contrive to run into Guo Changcheng. If he did do it purposely, do you believe he knows all of the SID employees?
- I sure did feel like he enjoyed twisting that knife – as it were- when he saw Chu Shuzhi. It would be interesting to see some fan fiction written for in-between moments of this episode, on how Chu Shuzhi handles himself, and if he explains anything to Changcheng.
- I love how at the end Zhao Yunlan’s expression turns to something more like he’s gearing up for a battle, because 1. It’s the Regent and 2. Chu Shuzhi gonna have to say something about it, I think XD I also love how this really leans into the whole push-pull of Zhao Yunlan and Chu Shuzhi’s relationship.
- Poor Guo Changcheng just looked so confused throughout the whole ordeal XD
- I love ferocious Chu Shuzhi! What are some of your favorite ferocious Chu Shuzhi moments?
I hope everyone enjoyed this!
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But for this particular discussion I am feeling lots of Chu Shuzhi feels today, so I decided to review the part where Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi encounter the regent in his Haixingren disguise.
Oh yes! Yay!
(I'm just going to pop in the paragraph I wrote about this during the rewatch. I hope that's okay!
I wonder if the combat book is assigned reading, hee. Like, Chu Shuzhi deciding that Changcheng is so klutzy, he might be better off learning the basics from a book? *g*
The Regent assures the driver he’s fine.
I'm always so interested by this mild-mannered persona. And I think you're right that he ran into Changcheng deliberately. It's like he's trying to charm each member of the SID, one by one (except for Chu Shuzhi, of course!) -- and if he wasn't so eerie-slimy and didn't make gross comments about Wang Zheng, he might have managed it. ;-p Given his visit happens after Zhao Yunlan messaged the palace archives about Shen Wei, I think he might be trying to get the SID to take sides against the Envoy...
I also think this is incredibly adorable that he has an alarm set for work!! :D
Haha, yes. So diligent! So conscientious! *pets him forever*
but the Regent gives him Regent-puppy-dog-eyes
LOL! And also, ick, I need a shower. That little pout!! /o\
PS: Do you think Chu-ge was specifically looking for Guo Changcheng?! I DO :D
Yesss! Maybe they always train together in the mornings, and that's what Changcheng is late for? And lol at Chu Shuzhi playing it cool and stern like that. :D
It's interesting that Changcheng outright points at the Regent. That seems kind of rude -- maybe he's secretly annoyed by having been delayed. Heh.
Angry Chu Shuzhi grabs the Regent by the neck and says: It’s you.
I wonder what, specifically, Chu Shuzhi holds a grudge about. Is it the torture during CSZ's prison sentence (I suspect not), or is it that the Regent took Nianzhi's doll (iirc? please correct me if I'm wrong)? Or is it just his epic corruption and mismanagement of Dixing? Anyway, I bet it's something to do with Nianzhi as far as Chu Shuzhi's concerned, and the fact that the Regent arrived with soft, hapless Changcheng is an extra trigger. Ooh, maybe that was the Regent's plan all along (assuming he knows that Chu Shuzhi is Changcheng's mentor; would he know that?).
The Regent is so smug, he deserves ALL the choking! ;-p
It’s hard to capture but when Zhao Yunlan shoves Chu-ge aside Guo Changcheng catches his arm to steady him.
Ahhhh, great catch (ha!)! I never noticed that before. And I love how Zhao Yunlan isn't the least bit physically intimidated by furious Chu Shuzhi -- he just strides right in and shoves him away without a second thought. I wonder if that would have been the case in episode 1...
Which begs the question would inside the SID have been better? XD XD XD
HEE! Though, hm, there are two things going on -- Lao Chu is undermining the SID's image and secrecy, and Lao Chu is disrespecting their VIP guest. I guess if it was inside, that would solve one of those? *g*
Though really, I read this as shock. Perhaps shocked that Zhao Yunlan would forcefully shove him aside? Or perhaps shock at his own actions. Or maybe shock that he was stopped? Or maybe he’s determining if he could just shove Zhao Yunlan aside and continue his attack on the Regent XD
I think it's shock that Zhao Yunlan is taking the Regent's side? Like, Chu Shuzhi has come to consider himself one of the team, and this is his mortal enemy, but here's Zhao Yunlan, his chief, scolding him in front of that villain, giving the Regent that satisfaction. How is this happening? How dare?!?! (I wonder if this haunts his nightmares. /o\)
I remember when I originally watched this episode I did NOT make the initial connection that he was the Regent. Did anyone else miss that? LOLOL.
I think that was deliberate on the show's part. We were supposed to be lulled, just like Changcheng was. :-)
Do you think the Regent running into Guo Changcheng was innocent? Or did he contrive to run into Guo Changcheng.
The fact that they cross paths twice suggests to me it was deliberate (though they are both going in the same direction, so maybe it's happy accident on the Regent's part, hm).
I love how at the end Zhao Yunlan’s expression turns to something more like he’s gearing up for a battle, because 1. It’s the Regent and 2. Chu Shuzhi gonna have to say something about it
I think it's mostly 1. I think he's realising the Regent is a more complicated figure than he knew. (I wrote this scene from ZYL's pov in the first few paragraphs of my fic How the Other Half Lives.)
Poor Guo Changcheng just looked so confused throughout the whole ordeal XD
*pets him forever*
I love ferocious Chu Shuzhi! What are some of your favorite ferocious Chu Shuzhi moments?
Hee! The one that immediately comes to mind is in Zhao Yunlan's vision of the zero-degree lab where Chu Shuzhi starts choking Zhao Yunlan and calling him a murderer. But I really love the posturing between Chu Shuzhi and Ye Huo when they first meet in the fight club, too.
SUCH A DELIGHTFUL POST!!! Thank you so much for making it!! :D :D :D :D :D
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(I'm just going to pop in the paragraph I wrote about this during the rewatch. I hope that's okay! - OMG yes! :D I love seeing otherwrite-ups/thoughts/insights to this scene :D :D :D
This may be his most likeable moment in the whole show. - THIS MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD :D Because it's so true. SO SO true LOLOLOLOL.
I wonder if the combat book is assigned reading, hee. Like, Chu Shuzhi deciding that Changcheng is so klutzy, he might be better off learning the basics from a book? *g* - I love this thought! Chu-ge just all: Read this first. LOLOLOL. And then just the whole SID getting on the same boat and giving him different books to read to help him out XD
I'm always so interested by this mild-mannered persona. And I think you're right that he ran into Changcheng deliberately. It's like he's trying to charm each member of the SID, one by one (except for Chu Shuzhi, of course!) - This is such an interesting thought! My brain just went to was he getting on Changcheng's good side, because somehow he knew Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng were partners and it's another way to get under Chu Shuzhi's skin. XD THough I also love the thought of the Regent trying to butter everyone up to get on their good sides.
LOL! And also, ick, I need a shower. That little pout!! /o\ - RIGHT RIGHT!
Yesss! Maybe they always train together in the mornings, and that's what Changcheng is late for? And lol at Chu Shuzhi playing it cool and stern like that. :D - AHHH I LOVE THIS THOUGHT! Maybe that's why he was reading the book in the morning so he could remember everything he could for their morning practices XD
It's interesting that Changcheng outright points at the Regent. That seems kind of rude -- maybe he's secretly annoyed by having been delayed. Heh. - I thought the same thing! I do think Guo Changcheng was mildly irritated at the Regent's behavior XD
I wonder what, specifically, Chu Shuzhi holds a grudge about. Is it the torture during CSZ's prison sentence (I suspect not), or is it that the Regent took Nianzhi's doll (iirc? please correct me if I'm wrong)? Or is it just his epic corruption and mismanagement of Dixing? Anyway, I bet it's something to do with Nianzhi as far as Chu Shuzhi's concerned, and the fact that the Regent arrived with soft, hapless Changcheng is an extra trigger. Ooh, maybe that was the Regent's plan all along (assuming he knows that Chu Shuzhi is Changcheng's mentor; would he know that?). - All great thoughts here :D I do think it's Nianzhi's doll and to a lesser degree the mismanagement of Dixing. AND YES to him arriving with Changcheng. Just like: HOW DARE YOU. The Regent was just rubbing his face in it. I do think the Regent knows more than he's letting on in regards to knowing Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng are mentor/mentee. I feel like he has little spies everywhere!
The Regent is so smug, he deserves ALL the choking! ;-p - 100% agree LOLOL.
Ahhhh, great catch (ha!)! I never noticed that before. And I love how Zhao Yunlan isn't the least bit physically intimidated by furious Chu Shuzhi -- he just strides right in and shoves him away without a second thought. I wonder if that would have been the case in episode 1... - Oh you are so right about Zhao Yunlan not being afraid. I mean I did realize that on some level but having it pointed out makes me really see how ZYL isn't afraid of CSZ at all :D
I think it's shock that Zhao Yunlan is taking the Regent's side? Like, Chu Shuzhi has come to consider himself one of the team, and this is his mortal enemy, but here's Zhao Yunlan, his chief, scolding him in front of that villain, giving the Regent that satisfaction. How is this happening? How dare?!?! (I wonder if this haunts his nightmares. /o\) - Oh oh my heart for that first line of yours about him now considering himself part of the team. MY HEART. It would only be worse if it had been HPS scolding him XD
Hee! The one that immediately comes to mind is in Zhao Yunlan's vision of the zero-degree lab where Chu Shuzhi starts choking Zhao Yunlan and calling him a murderer. But I really love the posturing between Chu Shuzhi and Ye Huo when they first meet in the fight club, too. - OH that is such a good moment!! I remember being like: OMG Chu Shuzhi!!! Such feralness!!
And squee I'm so glad you liked the post and thank you for a lovely lovely comment!! :heartheartheart:
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Hahaha, and they think they're teasing Changcheng by doing it, but in reality, Changcheng is all, "Oh thank goodness, information I can assimilate at my own speed without needing to be self-conscious!! Maybe I can make Chu-ge proud!" :D :D :D
My brain just went to was he getting on Changcheng's good side, because somehow he knew Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng were partners and it's another way to get under Chu Shuzhi's skin. XD
Oh, yes, this seems more likely, actually. Because the Regent is TERRIBLE!! And he was robbed of three years' torturing Chu Shuzhi, so he has to find another way now. /o\
It would only be worse if it had been HPS scolding him XD
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, now I'm dying to know what Shen Wei would have done if he'd been there!! Would he have told Chu Shuzhi off? Or just rebuked him with a single word (because diplomacy) and then glared icily at the Regent? Or...?? So many delicious possibilities!!!! :DDD
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
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But the thought of HPS just glaring at the Regent and making him back down without rebuking Chu Shuzhi is SUCH a good thought too :D Just laying down that line in the same. AHHHH. All good thoughts! Excellent thoughts! :D
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Damn, now I want the AU where Shen Wei arrives just at that moment and sees the confrontation! (Not quite the same because Lao-Chu doesn't yet know he's the Envoy, but still!)
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Given that it's on the street, with bystanders, he'd have to make a grand entrance and freeze time, like on the university roof, wouldn't he? I'd love that!
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I can't quite tell how aware he is of how much he's creeping people out, and how deliberate it is. Is he deliberately sending mixed signals? Or is it just his inner creep that's impossible to fully hide? I mean, it's definitely all deliberate with Lao-Chu, where he's gleefully provoking him by being as smugly cruel as he can, but otherwise ... idk.
I wonder what, specifically, Chu Shuzhi holds a grudge about. Is it the torture during CSZ's prison sentence (I suspect not), or is it that the Regent took Nianzhi's doll (iirc? please correct me if I'm wrong)? Or is it just his epic corruption and mismanagement of Dixing?
I think it's a) that the Regent wouldn't let him take Nianzhi's doll, and b) that after he'd served his term, the Regent was going to keep him locked up anyway, and c) (possibly most importantly?) the Regent being a smug, gloating arse about all of the above. *g*
Ooh, maybe that was the Regent's plan all along (assuming he knows that Chu Shuzhi is Changcheng's mentor; would he know that?).
He might? He clearly has contacts on the surface (had them even before Shen Wei woke up 20 or 30 years back), and I expect he has intel on the SID.
I think it's shock that Zhao Yunlan is taking the Regent's side? Like, Chu Shuzhi has come to consider himself one of the team, and this is his mortal enemy, but here's Zhao Yunlan, his chief, scolding him in front of that villain, giving the Regent that satisfaction. How is this happening? How dare?!?!
Ha, yeah, my thoughts exactly!
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Yeah, the remark about Wang Zheng could just be him judging his audience incredibly badly (or culture clash? suddenly it seems significant that we never see any women at the palace).
I think it's a) that the Regent wouldn't let him take Nianzhi's doll, and b) that after he'd served his term, the Regent was going to keep him locked up anyway, and c) (possibly most importantly?) the Regent being a smug, gloating arse about all of the above.
That sounds about right! /o\
and I expect he has intel on the SID.
I bet he dug around a bit after receiving the enquiry about Shen Wei, too. Maybe he sent to the Xingdu Bureau for details, like Shen Wei did in ep 1?
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Maybe he sent to the Xingdu Bureau for details, like Shen Wei did in ep 1?
Ooh, yes, that makes a lot of sense!