#SONG HUAIEN IS A GOOD BOY

[orsuliya]

Song Huaien is a good boy!

Book spoilers did me dirty. That’s a fact. Ever since I peeked at the last chapters of the novel, I’ve been convinced that Song Huaien was going to go rogue sooner or later. And so I looked upon him as one does upon a ticking bomb, watching him closely for any signs of rot and obvious mwahahahaing.

And that… might have been wrong of me. It’s not like The Rebel Princess ever treated any character’s novel journey as sacrosanct (see: Su Jin’er, Wanru, even Zitan). So what gives? Well, just look at the ever-precious Liu Duanduan. Wouldn’t you want to steel your heart in advance…?

And then the supremely astute @dangermousie came along and made me reconsider what could be done in the scant remaining number of episodes in order to deliver a satisfying ending. I trust The Rebel Princess, so it will be a satisfying ending, 12 cut episodes notwithstanding, and I’m choosing to ignore any contrary opinions! So what could be done? Well, getting rid of Song Huaien’s rebellion and conflict with Xiao Qi seems to be one of the most viable solutions, whether by design or by leaving it on the cutting-room floor. Okay, I’m sold, I thought at once, jumping without thinking as I’m wont to do. But does the drama itself support that?

Why, yes, I believe it does!

What are the actual visible signs of Song Huaien’s potential villainy? There’s the corruption/negligence thing, a pronounced liking for finer things in life and an unrequited love for Awu. That’s it.

The corruption scandal, if it can even be called such, what with Potato suppressing any further investigation attempts, is the biggest strike against Song Huaien. It’s clear that he’s somehow embroiled into unsavoury dealings, but the extent of his guilt is never shown. While I don’t fully believe his story about the birthday gifts being delivered during his absence and accepted without his express permission and/or knowledge, there is also nothing to suggest he’s been explicitly on Xie payroll, secret documents non-withstanding. The record book alone is no proof of guilt – why, the Xie might have simply noted that gifts of certain value had been given and received, not in exchange for a specific service, but rather as a start of a beautiful relationship. You get the drill. I believe if there was a solid proof of Song Huaien doing explicit harm to his own in exchange for Xie money, Xiao Qi’s reaction would have been much harsher.

As it stands, Song Huaien’s guilt is a matter of conjecture. There’s the birthday gift, which Xiao Qi cottons onto really quickly, which confirms that it may have been noted in the Xie secret books. There’s the fact that he may or may not have known about it and may or may not have chosen to keep it. I’d say he did know, if only after the fact, and that he originally meant to keep it. There’s also the damning fact that Song Huaien was the man taking care of logistics from the Ningshuo side. And he did his job really poorly, since multiple deliveries of substandard grain and clothing somehow made it through. But was it out of maliciousness? Was there ever a conscious decision on his part to let things slip? Not necessarily. It looks bad, sure. But let’s not forget that dealing with the capital sharks may be a first for Song Huaien, regardless of his previous experience as a procurement officer. Whatever his experience, it was either at the very end of the supply chain or it was mainly related to supplies coming from the area closest to Ningshuo. The former wouldn’t have prepared him for his present duties. And as for the latter, I think that the Ningshuo province has its own rules and ways, which are in no way comparable to the shark pond that the capital undoubtedly is. What’s more, Huaien really seems to buy into the illustrious capital life; it would not surprise me if he delegated a few things that should not be delegated simply because he was busy taking it all in!

So, intentional crime or crime of negligence? I’d be inclined to vote for negligence. It just fits what we know about Song Huaien up to that point, it fits his current circumstances and it makes Xiao Qi’s reaction quite reasonable.

The second strike against Huaien’s integrity is his love for the finer things in life. But then, is it really such a damning thing? Many of the Ningshuo soldiers must have experienced the same thing upon their arrival into the capital. Here they are, heroes and patriots all, having spent their whole life either on various battlefields or in decidedly non-luxurious circumstances. Why, they must be quite happy if they get enough to eat, which they do only because they have an honest general who cares about them very much. Other armies are not as lucky! And then they are shown all those useless noble scions, some of whom might nominally be officers despite barely knowing how to hold a sword (and even those swords would be ceremonial ones, so mostly useless). I don’t know about you, but I’d be bitter. Some of Xiao Qi’s closest clearly are, although he tends to shut that down very quickly. Also, covetousness is not a crime as long as Song Huaien is not actively taking bribes or jockeying for profit. And there is no proof of that. His manor and his title are both given to him without him ever asking for them. If he appreciates that… well, that is also not a crime and he doesn’t even gloat openly! As it later turns out, he took both as his due, believing that his talents were seen and duly appreciated outside the Ningshuo army.

Sooo… Nothing out of ordinary on that count. And seeing that at one point Song Huaien offers to use his savings to repair the ailing military budget – whether from guilt or from sense of duty – speaks to his advantage.

Now, let’s take a look at his unrequited love for Awu. I mean, is it any wonder he falls for her? I am half in love with her myself, so I totally get it! What matters is what he does with this love. Quite surprisingly, there is no attempt at coming between her and Xiao Qi. Why, Song Huaien actively tries to help their marriage by convincing Awu to return home from the temple. No hesitation there! And while he might realize he’s actually in love very late in the story (by this point it’s obvious to everybody), the realization itself changes very little. He gets very determined to go through with marrying Yuxiu, that’s it. Still no attempts to make a move on Awu. Even that flower he brought back from the Imperial Mausoleum was not an overly romantic gesture – she asked and he did as she asked in order to make her happy, nothing more. There’s also a genuine attempt to get over her. He goes to Yuxiu on their wedding night and despite the initial haziness on the matter, he seems to know quite well she’s not Awu and does his best. Although that bro slap in the morning… Let’s believe he did his best there too, the poor awkward thing. He gives her an actual hug when he comes back from Jiangnan! Progress!

What finally buried the theory that Song Huaien might rebel in order to take Awu away from Xiao Qi was his convo with Wang Su in episode 55. I was so afraid (just as I was afraid on his wedding night) that he might do something stupid. Like asking for Awu’s hand or betraying his romantic intentions towards her. But no. While Song Huaien tells Wang Su that he wants/needs to find Awu, there’s no romantic intent there, only duty towards Xiao Qi’s wife and respect towards a woman who has earned it many times over. If there is anything else, I just can’t see it! Why, during this whole conversation Song Huaien is more broken up about Xiao Qi than about Awu!

Whether Song Huaien manages to get over his love or not, there is no sign he was ever going to do anything about it, not while Xiao Qi lived and perhaps not even now that he’s supposed to be dead. Moreover, he made every possible effort to suppress his emotions out of sheer guilt and feeling of brotherhood towards Xiao Qi. Marrying Yuxiu might have been a bad, bad choice (although I still hope for the best), but it was a choice made for the best of reasons.

So that’s it, right? Well, wrong. Even with all of the above there was still a possibility for him to go the villain route. Except… he actually seems to be redeeming himself in leaps and bounds. Once away from the capital, Song Huaien seems to throw off the capital’s thrall and becomes the best version of himself. Jumping into stormy waters in clear disregard of any danger? Working tirelessly towards a common goal and for the good of the people? That’s pure Ningshuo stock, no moral rot in sight! Now, why would the narrative have him getting back to his old self only to make him regress again?

There’s also no real reason for him to ever go against Xiao Qi. If that was going to happen, I’d have expected at least some signs of bitterness and jealousy to have shown up by now. And yet there’s nothing, at least not towards Xiao Qi. Who, might I add, really does his best to mitigate any potential bitterness in the bud. Just look at the way they resolve the corruption scandal! And I’m not talking about Xiao Qi burning (or not burning?) the incriminating page. What got my attention is what their conversations over the matter boil to. Which is: Listen, brother, I get that you’ve been having some issues, but get your shit together. And please, take care of yourself. I don’t want you to get in trouble, so please remember that there are people watching your every step. No overt accusations, no anger in sight, maybe the slightest bit of sternness, but heavily undercut with roughly expressed care. And it’s the same with their confrontation over Awu. I know what’s going on with you and my wife, but I 100% get it, mate, so take a moment and decide how to proceed from here. Even if Song Huaien was actively seeking a reason to hold a grudge, it would take a truly rotten seed to find one. And a rotten seed Song Huaien is not.

Now, let’s wrap it up by going over Wang Su’s suborning of Song Huaien in episode 55. It’s really something special, as well as the main reason I’m choosing to reject any possibility of SHE/XQ showdown.

Wang Su waylays Song Huaien on his way out of camp. Song Huaien is clearly very emotional at this moment and not really inclined to stop for anybody. Why, I think that he was fully prepared to go through Wang Su if needed. It is also quite probable that his decision to leave for the capital was made on the spot, once he heard about what happened to Xiao Qi, Awu and his comrades. Yet he stops and listens, if only because Wang Su – Awu’s brother and Xiao Qi’s brother-in-law - should be his natural ally in his quest to clear Xiao Qi’s name. As he proclaims to be by announcing his willingness to join Song Huaien on his journey to the capital.

Wang Su (or rather Daddy Wang possessing Wang Su’s body) takes full advantage of Song Huaien’s state. First he breaks out a prop, Awu’s favourite wine. It does not work as well as it could have and I’d say that at this point Song Huaien remains quite astute as to Wang Su’s weird behaviour. His first outburst shows he’s got little patience for games. Awu is your sister and Xiao Qi your brother in law, he reminds Wang Su, who seems very controlled for a man with much more obvious ties to this whole situation than Song Huaien. Wang Su skips around the issue by taking out his ace card, the Empress Dowager’s order. Predictably, it takes Song Huaien off-balance and incites a sense of debt, if not gratitude. An excellent opening from the shapeshifting Daddy Wang! Then Wang Su makes an attempt at aiming Song Huaien at the Empress Dowager… and it doesn’t work. Song Huaien doesn’t care about his own life half as much as he cares about Xiao Qi. Cue a mournful soliloquy! There is no way a man this broken about his brother’s death is going to try to kill said brother in the 13 episodes remaining (less, in fact, since they will not meet until 59 or 60 at the earliest). There would be no build-up! The only way I can see this happening is if Xiao Qi went against Song Huaien first and in a deeply personal way. Which we know he would never, so...

Wang Su makes a brave attempt at corralling Song Huaien’s grief and turning it to anger, for all that he may say that anger will not help anyone; it doesn’t work and self-blame enters the picture. If only I was with him leads to a startling realization: all those honors and the brand new posting were just a ploy. Now, this realization could lead to two different results. Song Huaien could plausibly become bitter towards Xiao Qi –  because of whose very existence his own talents weren’t truly recognized and he himself became a pawn. But there’s nothing to suggest that’s true. It’s more likely for Song Huaien to turn his bitterness over his wounded pride towards the Empress Dowager in particular and scheming nobles in general. Which is what I think he does. There is also a possibility of guilt: he bought into this whole noble life fairytale… and this is what partially facilitated him being turned into a pawn. It may be just wishful thinking, but I expect that in the future Song Huaien will be more wary of unexpected meat pies falling from the sky, however tasty they may be.

Just a moment later Wang Su offers him a meat pie. He’s going to help him take revenge! And Song Huaien swallows it whole – at least for now. This is where a truly interesting thing happens. Song Huaien, a general in his own right, a true hero and a man who’s been acting as Wang Su’s equal while in Jiangnan… folds and takes to a subordinate position like a duck to the water. Tell me what to do, he seems to be screaming with his eyes. And when Wang Su starts to use the word we, there’s a palpable sense of relief in Song Huaien’s whole demeanor. What’s more, he’s not reacting to the idea that he still needs to jump through some hoops in order to become a Wang minion. I’m not sure you’re ready to become my ally, lies Wang Su, knowing very well Song Huaien’s is already in his palm. Where’s the ambition? Where’s the slightest sign that this man may be capable of going for the throne for his own sake and against his brother? I don’t see it!

The Wang family is used to needing to pay their allies in hard coin (or titles, or favours), that much is clear, because that’s what Wang Su tries next. The title of a count is too lowly, he says and then dangles a princely one in front of his victim. If Song Huaien was really as hungry for honours and wealth as some of us were expecting him to be, he’d be all over that. But he’s not. He gives it due consideration, but, if anything, this proposition seems to bring him back to reality. There are no free meat pies to be had and he’s just remembered that. But since this is the best – and likely the only – proposition/offer of help he’s going to get, he seals the deal anyway.

There’s still some reluctance, though. Why, Song Huaien needs to rationalize this decision by reminding himself that Wang Su saved his life and that there’s revenge to be taken since he’s alive (as Xiao Qi is not). Not very eager to take part in a coup, is he? And then he actually makes getting justice for Xiao Qi a condition of this alliance! Finding Awu is the second one, but as I’ve already said, there seems to be no romantic intentions there.

And that’s it, the deal is done. So now, can anybody tell me how is this Song Huaien supposed to go against Xiao Qi? He’s more likely to go for a hug once he sees him alive!

There is no reasonable way to leave in Song Huaien’s conflict with Xiao Qi. There’s just no time and no real build-up to that! The only way to have him go rogue is to have a timeskip with Song Huaien doing a 180 in the meantime. And somehow I just can’t see it happening. But I guess we’ll have to see about that!

#SONG HUAIEN IS A GOOD BOY #it's not just because his hair looks nice I swear #I'm not that shallow or am I #the rebel princess #monarch industry #rebel princess meta #this is kinda long

[storge]

Liu Duan Duan as Song Huaien | The Rebel Princess Ep. 17-18

#monarch industry #the rebel princess #cdramaedit #perioddramaedit #diversehistorical #liu duan duan #cdrama #song huaien #looooooook #song looked so gooodtttt in these ep #back when he was still a good boy with a tiny crush #i miss this songgg #he was mmmmmm #ngl i actually like this actor here more than joy of life #idk why i just do #mymymy #this has been in the drafts forver LOOL #they are just large and ehhh im kinda happy with them now

[tomorrowsdrama]

Nobody seems to think that Xiao Qi could ever be defeated except for Xiao Qi.  Talk about immense pressure to always make the right decisions and be victorious.  No wonder Xiao Qi is the way he is and thinks he has to be responsible for everybody he cares about.  In some ways, he kind of has to be.  

With his troops, they all depend on him to lead them through war and keep them alive.  He can depend on them to be loyal and follow his orders competently, but it’s still ultimately up to only him to make the right moves and lead them to victory. He can’t afford to lose because that means anyone who depends on him can end up dead.  He is their leader and that means he bears the weight of everyone’s life on his lone shoulders.  

With his household, he is responsible for keeping a roof over everyone’s head and protecting them.  In that society, unfortunately a woman’s livelihood is dependent on the success of the man of her household whether it is the father who is responsible for an unwed daughter, the brother taking care of his sister, the son looking after his mother, or the husband responsible for his wife.  In order to protect his family and household, he must maintain his position and status, something that has become increasingly difficult as everyone in court is out to get him.  He doesn’t consult with Awu or anyone else about his troubles because he’s used to being the person who has to solve everything on his own.  Xiao Qi is a peasant of the humblest origins who literally had to fight for and earn everything he has presently.  If he didn’t take care of things himself, there was no one to shield or save him.  

So I understand why his go-to mode is to just take care of things himself without talking to anyone because that’s how he’s survived his entire life.  But he needs to understand that he is married now to a woman who wants to share his burdens and CAN share his burdens.  Awu is a very capable woman.  More importantly, you do not make THAT kind of decision without Awu’s knowledge or consent.  Oooh boy, I get more and more uneasy with every episode that passes where this secret is not resolved because I know the fall out is going to be massive.  At this point I’m just bracing for impact.

On another note, I like how they gave up on the top knot after one episode and went back to leaving his hair down haha.

Oh dear, you can see what path Huaien is slowly heading down and how it starts.  After fighting all those years at the border and living a humble life, they are now in control of all the military force in the country and Huaien seems to really like having power and clout for once.  

Oof, the long look Xiao Qi gives Huaien as Huaien balks at the thought of leaving the capital and going back to Ningshuo, the place they’ve called home for so many years.  Xiao Qi is an intelligent man, he knows exactly what is happening and it’s so painful to watch.  He knows it and he’s doing everything he can to keep Huaien on the good path and protect him.  But he can only do so much to try to save Huaien from getting sucked into the glitz and glam of the corrupt capital life.  He can give Huaien all the words of advice and even cover for him when he screws up, but it ultimately is up to Huaien whether he heeds his warnings.  And well, it looks like our General Song is starting to become quite fond of the nicer things in life.  Understandable, since he put his life on the line all those years fighting to protect the people in the capital.  Why shouldn’t he deserve some of the same things they enjoy just from being born into nobility?  But Huaien, don’t do it!  They’ll use you up and spit you out in the capital!

It’s crazy how worn down and tired Xiao Qi looks in these episodes at the capital.  He looked less tired when he was fighting King Jianning on the battlefield!

#monarch industry #the rebel princess #zhou yi wei #liu duan duan #cdrama

[dangermousie]

1. That dream was so creepy.

2. Oh boy, do I feel sorry for Song Huaien who I did not realize did not realize he was in love with Awu until now. Yikes. This is gonna lead nowhere good fast.

#cdrama #liu duan duan #ep 36 #rebel princess #monarch industry

[orsuliya]

... the evil cousin in the book tried to "seduce" Xiao Qi even before the arranged marriage in Hulan? What was exactly her plan? Did her and her evil mum really think Awu could accept this shit?

Anyway I'm happy that Awu here is more aware of her own insecurities. She already knows about her health problems and deals with it with her own terms. Qianer's affair made her more frustrated and conscious about her own position. She is really jealous but jealousy isn't the real problem here.....she knows her husband isn't interested at all about Qianer, she doesn't doubt on his fidelity but this doesn't change the reality. Xiao Qi can accept to have a wife who can't give him sons, but the society can't. Her enemies won't never stop to use this weakness to ruin their peace or to try to usurp her position, and she can't live like this.

It's not because she doesn't trust her husband, she knows his heart but her fears are still realistic.....She even feels guilty towards him because he's giving up to have precious heirs! And no other man would do the same. (She includes even Zitan, lolololol)

That's why she tried everything to get pregnant, not only because of maternal instincts *_*

(So sorry for the long post‼️)

Hey, that plan wasn't so bad! In fact, I propose it was far more sensible than their drama shenanigans, which had little rhyme or reason. But then, that's what you get when you accept drugs from Xie Wanru.

The book establishes two things. One, Awu's aunt has an axe to grind with the main branch of the Wang clan as Wang Kai, her sole biological child, died while Turnip Wang survived and thrived. This made her resent the main branch in general and Awu's other aunt in particular. And what an excellent revenge would it be to see her own Qian'er - a daughter from a concubine no less! - lord it over the oh so high and mighty Wang Xuan in her own house! Two, childless women are vulnerable. So much so that Awu's aunt sees nothing wrong with giving Pei'er, Qian'er's sickly elder half-sister, two maids with the express purpose for using them as breeders, should Pei'er have trouble with bearing children for her new husband. Huanmi, also not a shining example of health, came to her marriage accompanied by four concubines, although we don't know the exact reason for that.

What's more, there's nothing to suggest that book!Qian'er was the toast of Langya. In fact, the aunt's total lack of resistance to the idea of marrying Pei'er off to another province - which Awu notes as somewhat suspect - combined with her general behaviour and what she says about her hometown, makes me wonder how good their situation really was. They have their name and that name is exactly what nets Pei'er a marriage into one of Jiangnan's preeminent clans... But would she rate this match if it wasn't for the pressing need to patch up political relationships with Jiangnan aristocracy via a double marriage: Turnip to Shen Lin, Pei'er to Wu Jun. Why, Pei'er is furnished with the title of Xuanning Princess, which screams of a peace marriage. Unless another peace marriage comes along, what kind of match might Qian'er expect for herself?

Well, I can tell you what kind of match she wouldn't be expecting and that is one to a man of Xiao Qi's standing, at least not as his main wife. By the time this whole mess happens he's the single most powerful man in Cheng. A glaringly childless one with no women other than his main wife. No other women = no competition. By the local standards this is not something that happens very often: Turnip's concubine count is in double digits, Song Huaien takes some at the first opportunity, I mean, who doesn't have a few concubines in their family? Well, except imperial brothers-in-law whose previous ones died in exceptionally tragic circumstances.

Since there's no competition, the only thing that Qian'er would need to do is to get with child. She bears the heir, her status goes sky-high. Especially since it doesn't look like the main wife is going to procreate any time soon. In the book it's been years and years and still nothing. And really, why should Awu be against this whole enterprise? Better a Wang girl than a stranger, right?

That Xiao Qi is Xiao Qi is another matter altogether. By the way, while in the drama his insistence on monogamy seems motivated solely by his love for Awu, it is not the case in the book. Or rather it is, but not quite, see: his tragic backstory. His aversion to having children with anybody but his main wife dates from before their marriage and is motivated by his childhood. Seeing as his mother was from a disgraced family and didn't even rate the status of a concubine, which made Xiao Qi's birth something of a disgrace, and that he ran the moment his father breathed his last... Yeah, I suspect life in the Guangling Xiao clan wasn't exactly all rainbows for a boy of comparatively low rank. Our general is simply too smart to replicate a losing strategy!

And yes, Awu's fears are entirely too grounded in reality. Sure, she believes Xiao Qi won't be faithless and it's clear that in the absence of the Re-do Wedding he must have made some sort of announcement, otherwise how come the whole country knows that their Regent doesn't accept concubines? But still, he's not the one that will feel the societal pressure and not the one who faces the rather bleak prospect of becoming a childless widow. Awu is the one who will be branded a failure if this situation persists any longer. But you know what, there is every possibility Xiao Qi might have enough power to shut everybody's mouths. Except.

Except that in the book there is one other factor that makes having children a must. Xiao Qi has been gunning for that throne for years and he's just a few steps away from his goal. The problem is this: how does one establish a new dynasty with no heirs in sight? Childlessness rather invalidates this whole enterprise and Awu is just as invested as Xiao Qi; why, at one point he gives her an out and still she tells him to go for it. This whole desperate trying for children is less about maternal feelings and more about building legacy. Which, taking their imperial ambitions into account, rapidly becomes a matter of national stability. It's already a miracle that Xiao Qi got away with abolishing the imperial system of six palaces with only a single male heir; I suspect it was nowhere near painless nor widely accepted. Without that male heir? Ooof, it simply doesn't bear thinking about!

#ask and answer #the rebel princess #emperor's conquest #we don't say sorry for long posts in this house! #unless you think we should start #naaaah better not

[orsuliya]

Xiao Qi looks so amused by his wife when she pushes his head away in episode 37.

I think for a man used to any kind of violence in the battlefield, this passionate determination from his wife could be very refreshing. I've never seem him laugh so amused on-screen. Now I wonder what these two do in bed 👁 (of course i'm not suggesting any violent kinks X-D just... Xiao Qi wants Awu to be the Empress in bed)

Oh boy, have I had some thoughts on their usual dynamic! And I'm not suggesting any violent kinks either, but I wouldn't be so sure there isn't any role-play going on there, should the mood strike. And not of the kind Zilu might have gotten up to in his throne room basement! No, what I have in mind is more in line with the following scenario: Wang Xuan, the haughtiest princess in the realm, is saved from... unspecified danger... by a passing soldier of no great importance or rank. Being a princess who believes that all debts should be paid and all noble deeds rewarded, she feels obligated to show the soldier her, ah, let's call it gratitude, despite his (rather half-hearted) protests. And proceeds to do so in the most haughty, disgustingly condescending way possible, as if he should be the one grateful for being allowed to even look at her. And he is properly grateful, you can be assured of that, and quite eager to show it... OKAY, BYE. Let's just... skip all of the above, will you?

Regarding the end of episode 37, what gets me the most is - and that may sound weird - how much of a little boy Awu brings out in Xiao Qi, an otherwise rather serious man. There is little of childlike playfulness in him in any other circumstances. Even at Song Huaien's bachelor barbecue, during which the Hu Sibs and Huaien himself get up to truly childish antics, there is a degree of dignity in his behaviour. Sure, he's all smiles, but at the end of the day he's very much the dad of this crew and not one of the kids. And it's probably much the same on any other ocassion, Hu Guanglie even commenting on Xiao Qi's rather unusual peacocking in episode 18... which one would hardly even notice otherwise.

And yet with Awu there is this entire practiced routine of her pretending to be angry - badly concealed smiles included - and him putting forward his best puppy eyes. There is public teasing and elbowing each other, there is joking and play-fighting about dressing each other up, and a lot (and I mean A LOT) of hand-holding. And you know what? Good for him!

We get told pretty clearly that nobody has ever worried quite this much about Xiao Qi's safety or embroidered anything especially for him, or even - judging by his cute confusion in episode 28 - fussed over his lapels. In fact, taking his tragic backstory into account, I would be pretty surprised if there was ever much time or place for youthful gaiety in his life, what with him being orphaned so early, then being nobody's and everybody's child, before losing even that wobbly pretense of stability. And then - as if that wasn't enough already! - he got thurst into a highly dangerous environment ruled by military discipline, where he was forced to carry more and more responsibility with every passing year.

Xiao Qi wants to be all cute, cuddly and puppy-eyed and feels safe and secure enough to be just that? I think it's just swell! I mean, unlike a certain somebody, he's a very well behaved playful young lad, not in the least prone to throwing brutal tantrums and then sulking in his room for six months straight.

#ask and answer #the rebel princess #if you marry a woman born to be an Empress #you better treat her like one in every single aspect of her life #but better since the Empresses we know lead rather sad lives

[orsuliya]

I think its a universal truth in this MI fandom that XQ ranks among the top ideal men. Given that, is there anything you think might be a weakness in him? Or is he a perfect man in ur eyes? Thanks for your thoughts!

Better than any Austenian hero, he is. Yes, even Colonel Brandon, sue me! And yet there is no such thing as an ideal man, fictional or not. Creatures of the male persuasion are, in their nature, inevitably fallible. Unless we’re speaking of fancy rats, then they’re cute, cuddly and absolutely perfect.

Xiao Qi is not a rat, however cute and cuddly he may be. And oh boy, does the man have issues! Answering all your lovely asks made me realize there is an underlying theme to his personal relationships and the actions he takes within them.

He needs to pull a runner at his own wedding? Let Huaien face his understandably incensed bride.

Awu has good reason to never want to see his face again? He'll offer to send her back home before she can even think of voicing any demands or discontent.

Daddy Wang demands Awu's presence in the capital? Best to hold onto that letter until the last possible moment!

Zitan comes sniffing around? What will be will be.

Xiao Qi's wife is drinking rather more than he would like? Not a single word of serious admonishment.

Daddy Wang is on the death row, which may or may not cause Awu to feel greatly upset? Let's get him off... while playing hide-and-seek all night long!

Awu nurses her wounds in the temple for three months? If it hadn't been for Huaien, she might have very well stayed there for another three years.

Awu's life will be in danger, should she become pregnant? Gods forbid he talks to her; it's better to feed her contraceptives behind her back!

Song Huaien gets embroiled in some very murky dealings? A terribly evasive warning should be perfectly sufficient.

Potato pulls the plug on investigating the remaining Xies? Burning crucial evidence is all the rage these days.

Song Huaien nurses a crush on Awu? Stop that confession! You do you, it's your life after all.

Financial problems would be easily solved by using Awu's dowry? Wait, that would mean talking to her, so let's put that off for now.

Awu sneaks around with Helan Zhen? The most Xiao Qi will offer is his opinion on the matter and even that will be voiced in a rather restrained manner. Oh, and he'll sharpen his sword, I guess.

Miss Screecher accosts Xiao Qi in a darkened passage? No need to tell anybody anything.

Ningshuo's new commander doesn't want to open the gates? Mutiny? What is that, a foreign fruit?

Song Huaien hasn't visited once despite having an entire month to do so? Surely he must have a good reason.

And so on, and so on, and so on. All of those situations have one thing in common. Xiao Qi seems to be going out of his way and makes some rather dubious choices in order to avoid open conflict. It's like he's afraid of causing even the slightest amount of upset. Combined with this curious tendency to always leave the other person a way out of the relationship - what will be will be - and a tragic backstory... Can you say abandonment issues? It's no healthy way to live, that's for sure.

#ask and answer #the rebel princess #dear general just talk to your wife #talk to your male concubine #sorry wannabe male concubine #open your mouth dammit

[orsuliya]

Song Huaien, we’ve had our own difficulties, I know. But please, please don’t let me down this time. You can do better than a pathetic bro slap!

Okay, he’s not even trying to dodge, so far so good. Yes, the bar is set THAT low.

And she engages successfully! No visible effort from General Song. No adverse reaction either, so I’m still hopeful.

You can do it! I believe in you, Song Huaien! Be a good boy, you know you want to! Do it for Yuxiu! Do it for us all!

HE DID IT! HE ACTUALLY DID IT! WOOOHOOOOO!

#ohgod is that bar low #the rebel princess #monarch industry #episode 57

[orsuliya]

it's me! can i request a canon of xiao qi finding out about yuxiu's death/ awu and xiao qi taking yuxiu's kid to pay their respects to yuxiu

Hey, you! And of course you can, although I cannot promise you will like it. I'm not sure I like it myself!

Many years ago, in another lifetime, there was a faithful shepherd’s dog with soft floppy ears and a wondrously fluffy tail that wagged enthusiastically every time the dog’s little master whistled loudly to signal the beginning of their day. She was a good dog, her little master’s most trusted companion. Right up until the day the senior shepherd smashed her floppy-eared head to smithereens when he saw her tearing into a barely weaned lamb. “You don’t let a mad dog live, no matter how well-loved,” the man explained to the dog’s little master, who looked at him with teary eyes, yet did not see. “Think of it as a kindness, for it really is,” he added and the boy knew in that moment why what happened had happened, even as he would not understand for some years yet the kindness of a swift death dealt with a practiced hand.

Had it been Hu Yao alone, Xiao Qi might have stayed his hand to see if his brother was mad or simply maddened beyond belief that he would attack a comrade of many years so viciously, for only then he would know whether to mete out justice or sharp kindness of the final kind. Had it been just Wang Lin, he would have listened to bitter words, would have tried to make sense of tightening plots and scorching ambitions; and perhaps, just perhaps, there might have been forgiveness. But then, Wang Lin was a poisonous spider and Yao’er no helpless lamb, but a she-wolf with teeth of sharpened steel.

Yuxiu was no she-wolf; for all her courage and loyalty she was but a dove, who had no place on the killing fields, among treason and blood. She was a treasure to be cherished and protected, to be taken pride in and kept safe from any harm. Is it any wonder Xiao Qi could hardly believe Tang Jing’s fantastic words, which tumbled out the moment their troops had met before the throne room’s doors? Had Song Huaien brought Yuxiu out to see him at his most triumphant and if so, how had she come to lie still and broken on the paving stones, her body left in the open for all to see before Tang Jing’s kind hand covered her with a crimson cloak? What had truly happened, Tang Jing could not say, only that she was by the gate in pale lilac silks and so none could pass through sight unseen.

And so Xiao Qi nocked his arrow and let it loose, and cried for the brother he once had, even though he knew in his heart that you do not let a mad dog live, no matter how well-loved. And so, as battle dust settled, as Awu tended to the spider and Tang Jing to the she-wolf, Xiao Qi went through the gate and found a crimson cloak, and under that cloak pale lilac silks stained with blood, and under the silks a sister dashed upon the stones. But still he found no truth.

The truth came later, forced out from some lips and willingly given by some. The whole truth, every word and every detail carefully recounted, none left out or softened unduly, at least not after Xiao Qi’s eyes had hardened like the sharpest flint. Whether he came to understand why Yuxiu had jumped, he did not share with a soul other than his wife, but one thing he understood quite well.

“Twelve heartbeats he stood there,” General Wei had said when asked. “Twelve heartbeats and not a single one more before he gave the command.”

#ask and answer #the rebel princess #I've chosen option A because option B gave me Bitter Feels #of the 'why the F would she even jump' kind #which... just nope #Song Huaien really needed to be put down like a mad dog #it was a kindness at this point #aaaand I believe my inbox is clear

[orsuliya]

In Ep. 60, when XQ meets Huaien, that sweet boy, his future son lol asks general Tang Jing if Dawang will be fine? Tang Jing says, don't worry, Dawang WILL BE FINE. He said it so ferociously, it gave me chills. Not only XQ is falling into pieces, all his men are also traumatized, so I guess there are these moments when they loose the sight of him and start looking for him in panick lol It is so sweet the way they feel protective of him, esp when he's still so trusting sob sob

Oh, that’s an excellent interpretation, I’m elated you’ve chosen to share it with me!

Personally, I’ve taken Tang Jing’s words to mean that DAWANG will be fine. Song Huaien? Not necessarily. What? It’s not like those guys - some of whom have known Xiao Qi for years and years - can’t tell that he’s precariously close to the end of his truly inhuman patience. Or that he has scarcely any fucks left to give. His general state of mind is not precisely inconspicuous, is it now? And really, Tang Jing might have been correct in this assessment... if only Xiao Qi didn’t immediately revert to his big bro mindset: pulling his punches and leaving Song Huaien full freedom of choice.

I must say, I like your version a lot more! And it does fit this particular character; after all, Tang Jing was the one to go off into parts unknown in search of Xiao Qi in spite of the probable futility of such task and his own excellent perspectives. I don’t think he’s going to let his friend out of his sight for a long, long time. Either way, a thousand kudos to our good general for acing this reassurance thing; Best Bro’s ghost approves greatly!

#ask and answer #the rebel princess #Best Bro is a ghostie too #he torments SHE daily and nightly #which explains his sallow complexion #it is possible that he might join forces #with ghostly Xie Wanru #in tormenting Zitan once he goes to mope in the Mausoleum #that's my headcanon now #ghosts are a thing #just ask Murder Mom!

[orsuliya]

Let us be frank: Daddy Wang is not sad to see Nanny Xu dead, Song Huaien is definitely not and neither am I. Are you?

You know what, I don’t think that Xiao Qi would care all that much either, if Awu was not so obviously broken up about losing her remaining mother figure. But whether he cares personally or not, he’s still 100% there for his wife. I also think he might be projecting...? After his own loss, the only thing he wanted was to know the truth; and now, when Awu is in the same situation, the first thing he offers is the truth. True, at first he tries to lure her home, but the moment she demands to know what is going on, he immediately gives in.

And what do you know, surprise, surprise, Turnip is a lousy liar! Based on all available evidence and Turnip’s suspicious behaviour, Xiao Qi surmises that his brother-in-law was present at the scene of the crime, even if he did not necessarily hold the knife himself.

At first Awu is in denial. After all, Turnip was raised by Nanny Xu as much as she was, so how could he possibly do such a thing. Xiao Qi has a pretty good measure of the Wangs by now and is not swayed by that argument. Awu seems to reject the truth...

...or does she?

Turnip gets a pretty insistent invitation from his sister to join her on their mother’s grave. Oh, Turnip, you should have pretended to be sick. Quite predictably he stands no chance before Awu’s mental assault and his connection to Daddy Wang start shorting in and out.

Talk, oh brother mine. Surely you have many interesting things to confess to me... and to our mother’s shade.

That connection to Daddy Wang is still not completely offline, though, so Turnip refuses to tell the whole truth. Or rather he tells his own version of it:

Why, oh sister mine, I have no confession to make. Nanny Xu’s death was just an accident. She - purely accidentally - ran into a knife, that happens! Also, my beard is full of secrets! But remember, everything I do, I do for our family (Wangs 4eva!!!) and whatever else happens, I shall never harm you. Wait, why do you think there is somebody pulling my strings? Don’t you believe I can be an independent vegetable...?

And suddenly that faulty connection gets miraculously repaired! Because the next thing Turnip tries? Yup, he asks Awu to take her husband (presumably together with his big bad army) back to Ningshuo. It’s so dangerous in the capital these days, you know! Why do I think it’s more of a last ditch try to remove Xiao Qi from Daddy Wang’s path rather that an expression of sincere care? Could be both, I guess. Depends on who is in control of Turnip’s brain at the moment.

Awu got a few essential pieces of information out of that conversation. The most important one? Trust nobody but her husband. See what you did, Wang boys?

#the rebel princess #monarch industry #episode 65

[orsuliya]

My first reaction to all of this?

WHAT.

THE.

HELL.

You don’t need a whole-ass orc army complete with battering rams called Grond an army of that size to take the palace; covert and lightning fast is the way to go! Especially if you know how to find a secret passage leading straight into the Emperor’s bedroom. You know, as Song Huaien does! Is this just Song Huaien’s ego being let out to play? Does he really need to repeat Xiao Qi’s greatest hits, only bigger, better, with greater oomph and taking time to show off his numerous troops? Is that really it...?

Then I saw those two clowns on the battlements... and the puzzle started to make sense!

See, there is a reason why Daddy Wang let all those ministers go. And it’s not because he thought they would sit this whole mess out instead of doing what any somewhat conscientous civil servant would do. That is, organizing a defense of strategic points. See, they even roped general Wei in! Okay, Awu was the one to send him a message, but still! I hope she did remember to ask him to relay all the best wishes to his Awesome Mom...

Okay, but why this great production? Why this showy siege when you could just take the palace from within? Why surround the capital in such a way that Xiao Qi had to divide his own troops in order to break the blockade, even though you supposedly control the only great force in vicinity? Why, for heaven’s sake, let those ministers go, allowing them not only to mobilize their own troops, but also to smuggle the Emperor out, should they wish to do so. They didn’t bother with saving Zitan, but they totally could have in the time that Song Huaien took to arrange his toy soldiers in pretty rows! It’s almost like Daddy Wang wanted this bombastic, unnecessarily complicated performance instead of a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am approach that would work just as fine while consuming a fraction of the resources.

And this is just it. Daddy Wang needs his coup to be HUGE. He needs to be seen. He desperately needs to make his one attempt into the biggest BOO! in the world. Because right now? He’s a dead man, a ghost story come back to life. And ghosts are the best fodder for rumours. If he wants to avoid a situation in which half the provinces keep WTF-ing and scrabbling for information while he tries to demand taxes, he’s on the right track.

But that’s not the only reason, even if Daddy Wang is really, really into this whole saying Boo! thing. See, public perception matters. And all those distant Ma cousins are merely careful, not dead. Let’s say that Daddy Wang takes power in a more discreet manner and announces his ascension to all and sundry. What would stop every single viable claimant in Cheng from coming after his head? Xiao Qi and his army have officially peaced out to Ningshuo, remember? Potato’s alleged edict isn’t worth the paper it’s been written on, if there’s nothing to back it up. What is Daddy Wang supposed to do in that case, send everybody a cute explanation of how he totally has an army, just ask Song Huaien? They will, you know. They will ask him... how much would it cost for him and his army to switch sides.

Daddy Wang is basically puffing up in order to look much bigger and much more threatening than he really is. He’s showing off that he has claws, fangs and thousands of swords, while at the same time marking Song Huaien as his. See, he is proudly announcing, I too have an army of my own and the guy leading it is so totally on my leash that he didn’t even hesitate before storming the imperial palace. What a good boy! Careful, he bites.

And you know what, it’s not a half-bad plan, although not even half as good as keeping Golden Ticket and setting him up as a figurehead. But it could have worked... IF. If is the key word here.

#the rebel princess #monarch industry #episode 67