[ Episode Twenty-Two ] [ Masterpost ] [ Episode Twenty-Four ]
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Dixing's new king ascends the throne and Zhao Yunlan discovers the price of his cure. Featuring: THE ICONIC KITCHEN SCENE.
Meeting the New King
The episode opens with Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan walking together to fetch their misbehaving cat who was caught sneaking around.
Shen Wei is about to move forward when he's stopped by Zhao Yunlan, who wants to take responsibility for his cat. (I love Zhao Yunlan shamelessly scolding Da Qing, as though he wasn't the one who told Da Qing to sneak around.)
Once things are settled with Da Qing, the new king's arrival catches their attention.
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are both shocked to find out that the new king will be An Bai.
Da Qing & Zhao Yunlan
Da Qing and Zhao Yunlan are given rooms to stay. Here, finally Da Qing reveals the flash of memory he regained.
Da Qing: You can't trust Shen Wei!
Zhao Yunlan: 
Da Qing: He's hiding something!
Zhao Yunlan: I know.
Zhao Yunlan tells Da Qing that he's taking a gamble on Shen Wei, and willing to wait until Shen Wei can no longer hold everything inside and will tell him the truth.
Da Qing & Shen Wei
Da Qing doesn't have the same faith, and goes to stalk Shen Wei.
Shen Wei walks has a heart-to-heart with Ye Zun, who's trapped in the pillar.
Da Qing's middle name is stealth, as he gets attacked by a masked attacker. Shen Wei, who's long been aware of Da Qing's presence, defends him.
Once they're both safe, Da Qing makes Shen Wei pinky swear not to hurt Zhao Yunlan. This is the easiest promise Shen Wei has ever made.
Also: Being accepted by the family cat is surely a milestone in a relationship, right?
Regicide
Back at the Dixing Palace, Da Qing, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan discuss their progress.
This gif is solely here in appreciation of Zhao Yunlan's impressive sprawl.
Their conversation is cut short by the discovery of the King's death. The Regent furiously issues an order to capture An Bai, dead or alive.
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are skeptical of this conclusion.
Zhao Yunlan hatches a plan. One which requires soft whispers in Shen Wei's ear and shoulder grabbing before he reluctantly slides his hand off Shen Wei.
It isn't long before An Bai and his two friends are captured.
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan exchange another Meaningful (TM) look, and put together a plot.
Capturing the Culprit
Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan entrap the real murderer by planting Zhao Yunlan as a fake An Bai.
Let's take a moment to appreciate how Zhao Yunlan rolls into a perfect "ta-da!" position at the end.
The take-down commences! Shen Wei in professor gear swinging his weapon sure is an Aesthetic (TM).
Shen Wei's never heard of the "always double tap" rule, but thankfully, Zhao Yunlan is on guard and prevents a last-minute sneak attack.
After defeating the culprit, they finally find the information about the Merit Brush they were seeking.
Shen Wei is upset at the ruthless lengths the Regent et al went through to conceal this information.
With the former King's murder solved, An Bai is forced to take the throne as the new King in the most depressing coronation ever.
Zhao Yunlan finds out that the King of Dixing has no choice but to spend 24/7 doing paperwork.
I can't decide if the Regent is trying to make things better or worse with his talk about sacrificing for one's friends and thousands of years of tradition (a line I'm sure Shen Wei has heard anytime he's tried to suggest improvements)... but Shen Wei has had enough.
Return to the SID
They return to the SID to analyze the new information they found out about the Merit Brush.
Shockingly, Zhao Yunlan is actually sitting on a proper chair this time. Maybe because Da Qing called dibs on the desk.
I thought Zhao Yunlan's pensive lollipop-sucking was worthy of zooming in on here.
I love the differences in their expressions and postures when they're both in analysis mode.
Home Sweet Home
Finally, Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan return home to Zhao Yunlan's apartment.
We (rightly) focus on the amazing way Shen Wei looks at Zhao Yunlan during that iconic kitchen scene coming up, but holy smokes. Look at the intensity here! And the lack of glasses really ups the emotional vulnerability here too.
Shen Wei: (100% serious face) I should stay by your side one more night to make sure you're okay.
Zhao YUnlan: (with 0% objection to this happening for the rest of his life) Okay!
I adore the pure warmth and affection on Zhao Yunlan's face here as he watches Shen Wei go off to prepare food.
When he gets out of bed, however, he sees a strange dark energy barrier in the kitchen. Side effect of their soulbonding or life/energy sharing?
Zhao Yunlan is perturbed.
The Kitchen Scene
Some time passes, and Zhao Yunlan gets bored of playing on his phone. He goes to look for Shen Wei.
That somewhat sleepy, fond, and crooked grin on Zhao Yunlan's face is such a painful contrast to what's to come later.
Shen Wei drops the knife in his hand in surprise. Zhao Yunlan's smile fades.
The angry stalking and the fury mixed with hurt/upset in Zhao Yunlan's expression is just so perfect here.
Zhao Yunlan isn't accepting any of Shen Wei's lies this time.
Zhao Yunlan isn't letting Shen Wei just walk away either. He asks Shen Wei if he traded his life force for the healing.
I love watching Shen Wei's reaction here and in the previous scene (where he's not the focus). His breath speeds up, his eyes are red, he's trying to blink tears away and swallowing very hard.
You can practically feel Zhao Yunlan's frustration and distress through the screen.
Zhao Yunlan, trying hard not to cry: It must hurt a lot.
Shen Wei, 200% not making things better: Fortunately, I'm used to be getting hurt.
Zhao Yunlan: I'm not worth you doing this for me.
Shen Wei: Worth it.
The complete lack of hesitation, and the complete lack of regret on Shen Wei's face gets to me every time.
Zhao Yunlan just loses it here. He's just at a complete loss on how to handle the sacrifice Shen Wei so happily made for him or how to repay something on this scale.
Shen Wei continues his streak of not making things better. Very earnestly, he steps forward and tells Zhao Yunlan that he's only returning a life he already owed Zhao Yunlan.
So now Zhao Yunlan is upset and confused.
And here we come to my go-to Guardian recruitment gif/scene. Shen Wei is overcome with emotions and the desire to kiss Zhao Yunlan. JFC just look at the way his eyes keep straying to Zhao Yunlan's lips.
Shen Wei: Now that I've left you with that bombshell, nighty night!
Zhao Yunlan: WTF
The Morning After
The episode ends on the most awkward morning after ever.
Both of them avoiding eye contact, with Shen Wei also pretending Da Qing doesn't exist.
Shen Wei sitting very properly and rigidly, but he still can't resist looking over at Zhao Yunlan, who seems to sense his gaze.
Looking away again. Zhao Yunlan seems a little sad and disappointed here.
They're saved from the awkwardness by Wang Zheng, who gets a phone call about a new case at the hospital. Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei leave one after another while Da Qing looks on.
[ Episode Twenty-Two ] [ Masterpost ] [ Episode Twenty-Four ]
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