BU
BU JING XIN
EPISODE
12
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INTELLIGENT RUSE: YINSI’S BOILING TEA DECEPTION
The appearance of the intruder in the camp has
placed Yinsi under a cloud of suspicion. Yinsi knows that the Crown Prince
would be checking up on him so he thinks of a ruse to dispel the suspicion.
He orders his manservant to bring boiling hot tea,
not just hot tea. He methodically instructs him that when the Crown Prince
appears, he must purposely spill the tea on his left chest while serving the
tea.
The left chest is the part that has been
wounded by the Crown Prince’s arrow. He hopes to mislead the Cown Prince
think that his right shoulder is injured as a result of the boiling hot tea
and not his arrow. Yinsi is confident of deceiving the Crown Prince using
this trick.
Ruoxi is instructed to return to her tent, and
on her way out, she meets the Crown Prince. His voice is loaded with sarcasm when
he questions her as to why she is in Yinsi’s tent. Then with a stifling look,
he reasons out that their close relationship is because she is his
sister-in-law. She explains that she has come for some medicine.
Yinsi interrupts their conversation. He kneels
and greets the Crown Prince. Ruoxi is in jitters as the Crown Prince graced
him with a smile that is anything but genuine.
The manservant does as he is told and spills
the hot tea on Yinsi. The teacup falls to the floor. Furious with the
carelessness of the servant, the Crown Prince oders him to be flogged.
Ruoxi is shocked and pained by the injustice
of it all. The manservant is not
guilty of any wrongdoing. She feels bitter that any palace servant would have
to bear a punishment through no fault of their own. They are at the mercy of
those who lord over them.
Yinsi’s physician treats the scalded area
while the Crown Prince looks around. Yinsi has barely managed to wiggle his way out
of his tricky situation.
Yinsi queries him about the thief who is
lurking in the area and the Crown Prince is mad about it. Though the Crown
Prince is suspicious, Yinsi is not worried. He has not caught the thief and
has no evidence.
The next morning, the Crown Prince narrated
the night’s events to the emperor, about giving lashes to the careless
servant for scalding Yinsi’s chest.
He says 20 strokes is too few for such a careless
mistake. Yinsi deems it to be a minor injury as it is just an ordinary burn.
The Kangxi emperor advises Yinsi to rest for a few days and nurse
his wound properly.
The monarch asks the Crown Prince about the thief whom he has
described as being dressed in Mongol attire. Adding that the Mongols are not happy with
his overbearing behaviour, the prince is advised to ‘Think carefully before
taking action’.
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RUOXI’S IDEA OF SHAPING HISTORY: CHANGE THE PRESENT 
Ruoxi wakes up from her nightmare of Yinsi being shot by an
arrow. Her frightened cries have woken up Yutan.
She recalls walking in the snow with Yinsi who caught hold of
her when she fell, Yinsi wearing the phoenix bloodstone jade bangle for her
and how he saved her from the runaway
horse. She remembers his delighted expression when he realised that he had a
place in her heart.
She thinks perhaps she could distance herself from Yinsi
knowing his history and future. She is appalled by her weak resolve and her
inability to control her emotions. Every memory of him, etched in her mind,
binds her to him like the jade bangle that is clasped round her wrist.
Unknowingly, Yinsi has crept into her heart and become a fixture in her life.
Ruoxi confidently tells herself that whether history can be
changed is dependent on her. It about time to alter history and to shape the
future. How can she a mere slip of a girl propose to drive the motors of
history? What great pretensions of power to revise or reshape history? Does
she think she is such a powerful force that she can effect dramatic changes
and reshape the course of Qing history?
What is she up to? What is she planning to do to change
history? Ruoxi must naïve to have thought she can be the author of Qing
history. Does she have a romantic vision of herself as the heroine who can straighten
out Qing history?
Ruoxi is in Yinsi’s tent and they raise their teacups to toast
to their happiness.
When she offers to get him a book to read but he says he is just
happy for her to be with him. Yinsi shares that he has yearned for a long
time for her to come willingly to him. She could not stay long as she is on
duty that day ad so, takes her leave.
He advises her not to visit Yinti as the Crown Prince is
suspicious. He might have spies waiting to spring on him so Yinti should wait
a bit longer before he leaves for the Capital.
Yinsi invites her to visit him that night. Smiling at him,
she notices his face which is wreathed
in a smile. She wants to love him whole-heartedly as she knows that he has
fallen head over heels in love with her.
Ruoxi is excited about their date that night.
She gives herself a thorough wash, soaking in a petal-filled tub,
submerged up to her neck surrounded by red petals. She has a relaxing time in
her tub of water.
And then, she primps herself for her rendezvous, her romantic
tryst with her prince.
When she arrives at Yinsi’s tent, she smells the dizzying scent
of jasmine in the air.
They discuss mundane issues like Baozhu, the male servant who
was beaten. She reads to him.
Then, curiosity got the better of him and he leans forward and
queries her about when she finally changed her mind about him and accepted
him. For her, the answer is not important. What is important is that she has
made the decision. She feels uncomfortable answering the question, and so, he
lets it rest at that.
The viewers wonder if she has been reduced to jelly in his
presence.
She lies against him and reads him a book. It is a romantic
time for the lovers. Their activities seem harmless enough.
The only question that is raised is whether their seat creaks
in protest against their combined weight.
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MINMIN IS CURIOUS ABOUT YINTI AND RUOXI’S ROMANCE
Meanwhile, Minmin is pestering Yinti to disclose romantic titbits about his romance with Ruoxi.
She has been breathing down his neck and
prying into his personal life. Being dependent on her generosity, Yinti has
to be patient with her.
Later, exasperated, he finally tells her that
whatever he should or should not tell have already been told to her. He is
exhausted by her inquisitiveness and boisterousness.
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THE KANGXI EMPEROR AND THE MONGOLIAN LORD DISCUSS THEIR
OFFSPRINGS
The
Kangxi Emperor, the Mongol lord, Minmin, the Crown Prince and Ruoxi are in
the emperor’s tent.
The two
rulers are talking and laughing about their children. The Mongol king tells
the emperor that his daughter who is like a little girl. He is embarrassed
that her behaviour is the result of being spoiled by him since young. She
knows the rules but does not practise them.
The Kangxi
emperor is also apologetic about his own hot-headed son,Yinreng, who does not
seem to know protocol, so much so that he has even chased the thieves into
the Mongol camp.
The
Crown Prince rises to defend himself. He has done it for the safety of the
emperor and the Mongolian lord. He apologises and hopes the Mongolian lord
would forgive him.
Well, ‘The water has gone under the bridge’. And
the past is the past, so they should forget it.
The
emperor feels it is appropriate that his son should apologise for his less
than appropriate conduct and that he should learn a lesson from it.
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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: YINTI RETURNS TO THE CAPITAL 
Ruoxi arrives at Minmin’s tent. Yinti is
compelled by Minmin to sing a song for Ruoxi. Yinti wants to
be alone with Ruoxi to catch up on lost time.
Yinti thanks Ruoxi for her help but she says they have been
friends for so long so it is not necessary for him to say that.
She conveys the message that Yinsi wants to meet him in the
Mongol side of the forest, so, off he goes.
Yinsi reveals that the Crown Prince has given up on trying to
find the thief, so it is time for Yinti to return to the Capital.
Yinti is relieved because being with Minmin has sapped him of his energy.
Having risked his life to meet Yinsi, Yinti also deems that it is better that he
goes back or else his absence would arouse suspicions.
After discussing the transfer of the ministers, Yinsi will try
to find a solution after taking everything into consideration.
Yinti divulges that Ruoxi and him have to pretend to be a
couple in Minmin’s presence.
Yinsi happily discloses that Yinti can start calling Ruoxi his sister-in-law. 
Later, Yinti greets Ruoxi jokingly as his sister in law.
Yinsi’s dream has come true.
Ruoxi discourages him from fabricating stories about their
relationship because Minmin is quite gullible.
That night, Ruoxi, Minmin and Yinsi send Yinti off. Minmin
still misunderstands and urges him to find a way to ask for Ruoxi’s hand in
marriage. Yinsi keeps very quiet.
Being worried about having told enormous lies to Minmin about
her relationship with Yinti, Ruoxi asks Minmin whether she would be forgiven
her if one day she discovers that she has done something wrong.
Minmin is unsure but says that to the girls from the Mongolian
Steppe, friendships are important.
Yinsi invites Ruoxi to his tent. He promises her that when they
get back to the Capital, he would ask the emperor’s permission for her hand
in marriage. He also promises to teach her riding after his wound has healed.
He says before she entered the palace she could not even read
Song Dynasty poems but she has come very far. Now, he has to salute her as
she can read the compendium of herbs.
He is astounded by her abilities. How many girls are like her,
someone who loves to read books? He says he has many books in his residence
for her to read.
She confides that the palace is a boring place so she is
compelled to read books and he promises her that she would not feel bored in the future. They hug
each other.
Yinsi remembers that she had recited a poem for Yin’e, the 10th
Prince, and he wonders if he would have the fortune to listen to her
recitation.
It is another romantic moment. When she kisses him, he is
shocked but delighted at her boldness.
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THE FANTASY WORLD OF A MONGOLIAN
PRINCESS
Minmin and Ruoxi discuss Yinxiang. The Mongolian girl is
interested in the Thirteenth Prince and asks about his persoan details like
whether he likes music or not. She requests Ruoxi to teach her Chinese opera.
Ruoxi reveals that Yinxiang likes opera and has a great taste in music. He also
likes to play the flute and stringed instruments.
The Mongolian princess is living in her own dreams about him.
She continues pestering Ruoxi for more information about him including the
musical pieces that he likes.
Ruoxi has never seen him perform but promises to request him to
perform a musical piece for her when they next meet.
Minmin envies Ruoxi because of her privileged position of being
close to him. Minmin is so besotted as to yearn to be one of his wives and fantasises
listening to him sing and play his musical pieces all the time.
Ruoxi asks her bluntly whether she is willing to share him with
so many wives.
Minmin, in her conservative eighteenth century style, says since
time immemorial polygamy is allowed and all capable men are permitted
multiple wives.
Ruoxi, being the modern woman shares with her the idea of one
man should be allowed one spouse.
‘Is it possible for one man and one woman to be together for
the rest of their lives?’ Minmin poses the question and is amazed when Ruoxi
confirms that it is possible.
‘Then you don’t encourage me to be with Yinxiang?’ Minmin has
misunderstood Ruoxi’s ideas on marriage and fails to understand the concept
of monogamy, the marriage of one man and one woman.
Ruoxi says if a woman loves a man wholeheartedly for her whole life,
she also hopes that he would do the same for her.
Minmin says if a man and woman who are in love can stay
together, other things are not a concern. Her simplistic idea about love sets Ruoxi thinking about
her love for Yinsi.
It is laughable to the viewers that Minmin seems to be living
in her own fantasy world. She is the caricature of a young princess who has
constructed a fantasy world for herself and her prince in a polygamous
marriage. But then, that’s Qing Dynasty reality.
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YINSI - MASTERFUL MANIPULATION: TRANSFER LIST - THE KANGXI
EMPEROR’S CHANGE OF MIND
Back at the capital, Yinti appears when Yintang and Yin’e are in
the palace garden.
Yin’e is worried about Ruoxi and asks whether she is up to no
good.
Mingyu overhears their conversation about Ruoxi and she pulls
Yin’e’s ears. She makes a fuss and expresses her jealousy over his concern
for Ruoxi. Yintang quickly leaves the scene to avoid being involved in the
husband-wife quarrel. Yinti, unperturbed by the ridiculous situation, laughs
merrily.
Yinzhen appears, and Yinti explains that he has been away.
Yinzhen announces that the emperor and his entourage have been out of the
capital for several months and would return to the Capital soon. He advises
his younger brother to visit their mother when he is free.
Yinzhen and Yinxiang discuss Yinti’s absence from the capital. They
are sure that he has informed Yinsi about the transfer of the officials.
All those involved are Yinsi’s associates and allies and this
would prove to be disadvantageous to him. If he knows, he would surely interfere.
Ever since the Crowm Prince was stripped of his title, the
emperor had wanted to curb Yinsi’s growing power. The officials stationed in the palace are the
allies of the Crown Prince. Yinzhen has added Neng Gengyao to the list.
Meanwhile, in the Mongolian Steppe, Yinsi has an audience with
the emperor. He is met with a frosty reception.
Yinsi proposes certain officials to be moved. But Yinsi is
intelligent enough to go about it in a roundabout manner. He recommends
officials from the different camps. The emperor Kangxi seems willing to listen
and withhold judgement.
He includes Yingtai and talks about his great reputation at
court. The Kangxi emperor is aware of his manoeuvring and stares intently at
him. They lock eyes.
‘I’ve heard that you and Yingtai have a good relationship.
Yingtai has praise you as being kind and intelligent. But Yintai’s clean
reputation is well-known.’
Yinsi also suggests Da Li, an honest and incorruptible official
who supports the Crown Prince. The emperor agrees that he is talented.
Then, Yinsi reveals that before he left the capital, he has also heard
of Nian Genyao. Although born of a lowly status, he is intelligent and
open-minded. Nian Genyao is Yinzhen’s gang.
Consort Nian, Yizhen’s second consort, is Neng Genyao’s sister. Yinsi recommends
him to work for the emperor.
‘Jiang Qi is also good.’ The emperor agreed that he is useful.
Ruoxi thinks that Yinsi is careful to include everyone’s allies
so the emperor does not suspect him of being partial and ambitious.
Back at the Capital, Yinzhen has news that the list of officials
to be transferred has changed. He has grounds to suspect that it is Yinsi’s
doing.
Whatever the changes, Neng Gengyao’s name is at the top of the
list. The emperor seems to favour him. He will have an influential position
in court.
Neng Gengyao has been called to Yinzhen’s manor to discuss
political matters. His younger sister, Yinzhen’s second consort, appears and
greets her brother.
Later, Yinzhen informs him of his new position and instructs Neng
Gengyao not to disappoint the emperor.
Neng Gengyao complains that his sister seems sad and distressed.
Yinzhen, pursing his lips, cuts him off, greatly offended by his veiled
criticism. Though Yinzhen does not voice it out, he has let it be known to Nian
Gengyao that he has crossed his
limits.
Neng Gengyao, a subject of the Qing Empire, is talking to a Prince.
He has breached court etiquette for mentioning personal matters and he has
been speaking out of line.
Yinzhen has silently shown him his place and declares that he can
take care of his own household matters.
He then asks whether Neng Gengyao is willing to die for him and
the answer is yes. Yinzhen promises that as long as he’s alive, he would make
sure that his life is well-taken care of.
After Neng Gengyao has left, Yinzhen tells his aide that he would
feast and sleep in Concubine Nian’s quarters that night.
As for the top quality bird’s nest that has arrived, Yinzhen
instructs that it be sent to the north of the Great Wall.
It is not stated to which person it is to be sent but later,
viewers discover that it is not sent to the emperor but to Ruoxi.
It is clear that even at that time, he thinks lovingly of her. His
consorts are not as important as her. Edible birds nest, made into soup, are
high in nutritional and medicinal value.
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FOLK TALE: KUAFU CHASES THE SUN 
Meanwhile, Ruoxi is out strolling with Yinsi in broad daylight.
She brings up the story of ‘Kuafu Chases
The Sun’. She asks him whether Kuafu exists. He says no as the story is
just a myth, a folktale.
However, she retorts that Kuafu is real. She argues that many people
are like Kuafu. They do not know that they are Kuafu and they keep chasing
the sun.
Is she trying to warn Yinsi and imply that he is Kuafu?
Day has turned into night. They are still together and are
looking at the stars.
  Ruoxi lies in his arms and points out ‘The Cowherd and the Weaver Maiden’ stars in the sky but he points to the stars which are in the opposite side. She insists that he’s wrong. Finally, he concedes that she knows her astronomy.
He points out that they should go back. Romantic feelings
overcome her and she insists on being carried.
Is she on the verge of getting into a very intimate relationship?
Has their relationship ever veered into the inappropriate? They feel the
chemistry but the two seem to do only innocent things.
Hugging in public is probably an inappropriate expression of love
in Qing times.
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YINZHEN’S THOUGHTFUL BIRD’S NEST GIFT TO RUOXI 
Later, Ruoxi receives the box gift of ‘Golden Thread Bird’s Nest’, an expensive and precious gift from
Yinzhen.
 
The plains are hot and dry. Eating bird’s nest to increase the
‘yin’ is a great idea.
Ruoxi says she cannot accept the gift and instructs the aide
to return it to the owner.
Suddenly, Minmin appears, and Ruoxi, on the spur of the
moment, decides to give it to her. She explains that it is a precious
delicacy in the Central Plains.
But Minmin does not want the weird stuff because the saliva of
birds is disgusting.
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RUOXI AND MINMIN’S PRIVATE PERFORMANCE FOR YINSI: ‘THE BUTTERFLY LOVERS’ 
Minmin demands to learn Chinese opera from Ruoxi, so Ruoxi
agrees to teach her.
Ruoxi narrates the story of ‘The Butterfly Lovers’. It
is the romance of two scholars. One of them disguised herself as an a man. But
her parents betrothed her to someone else. It is pitiful love story.
Minmin asked if you’re the girl, what would you do? I would
give up everything and elope with him.
If the boy refuses? I will make a love trap and trap him.
So they prepare for the opera. Ruoxi informs Minmin that she
has invited someone to watch the show. They dress up and perform the opera.
The guest is Yinsi.
Beile compliments them after watching the opera. He says that he
has never seen it before.
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