The Legend of Shen Li (2024) Episodes 13-18

Erratum: I apologize for misnaming Shen Li as Lord Bianci in the last couple of posts rather than Lord Bi Cang. From now onwards I should stick with Shen Li to avoid further issues.

The little mermaid Xiao He returns in these episodes as Jing Xi providing more insight into the characters related to her story. The set-up in the earlier episodes finds further pay-off here. She’s transmigrated and finds herself in another love triangle with the same two souls. Gu Chengjin is now Jing Yan, a healer’s apprentice who is once again wavering between two women. What’s of greater significance as far as the larger narrative is concerned is the fact that Gu Chengjin was once Qing Ye, an ancient one who has been banished to the mortal realm by an even greater power that surveys all the realms because he misused his power for love. Consequently he is doomed to repeat a tragic cycle ie. miss out on the woman he loves because he mistakes obligation for love. This is certainly one of the merciless aspects of reincarnation and karma — rebirth is not all it’s cracked up to be when you keep repeating your mistakes but have no memory of them.

With these episodes, we gain a little bit of insight into why Xing Zhi is adamant about the marriage alliance between the two realms — a prospect that no one really wants and frankly doesn’t even seem to be needed. The odd thing too is that he’s inordinately fond of Shen Li and does things that makes her waver in her resolve. Is he really not aware? Or is there a bigger game he’s playing. It begs the question, why doesn’t he put himself forward as a candidate? In fact, if he’s quite capable of doing all that is necessary to eliminate the threats, why is this mismatched marriage even needed? Can’t he broker some other kind of deal? Perhaps the fact that he’s the last of the ancient ones is at the heart of the issue. There’s also his take away from what Qing Ye did. He, according to Xing Zhi, loved someone he shouldn’t have loved. For that his fate is to roam the earth never to cross paths with his true love.

Now it seems that the little mermaid isn’t the interloper here. Like Gu Chengjin, Jing Yan feels obligated towards the other woman who saved his life. In the final act of Gu Chengjin’s story which comes later, his comatose wife recovers completely and enters the nunnery presumably out of guilt towards the demoness who gave her life so she could live. Now as the woman who saved Jing Yan as a boy, she finds herself once again in a love triangle that threatens to repeat itself. In this timeline Jing Yan, I doubt, is really in love with her but he owes her a debt of gratitude. The one he loves and writhes in obvious jealousy over is Jing Xi, formerly the little mermaid. Even the devil-may-care Fu Rong is keen to help out and put on a show to force Jing Yan to come to grips with his own feelings. It makes Fu Rong almost likeable in these episodes.

This love triangle and its replay interests me because it may give some insight into the other one that is fermenting. Over the years, countless of dramas have demonstrated, quite clearly that regardless of what second leads say, time is not always a factor or “first come first served” is rarely a basis for “true love” to bloom. Time, however, can be a useful indicator of intention and longevity. This is why many (if not most) short dramas have time skips of 5 years or more. If the domineering CEO isn’t inclined to so much as flirt with you or hold your hand in that time, he just ain’t into you. If in a millenia, Shen Li isn’t into Mo Fang… you get my drift.

There’s nothing new of course about the notion of love being dangerous in fiction. In the eyes of the antagonists love is the protagonist’s Achilles’ heel. Whether it’s a romance, or family member it’s how they gain leverage. But love is dangerous in other ways too. It could lead to change — and not all change is positive. A change of heart and a change of mind. Plenty of people want front row seats to witness the arrogant CEO fall prey to jealousy. Others get that kicks out of seeing him declare to the patriarch of his family that he’s willing to give up his birthright for the woman he loves. But honestly, is that really a good idea? Especially when there’s the evil uncle or half brother on the prowl ready to loot the family vault and destroy the hard work of generations. Then there’s the Anakin Skywalker kind of “love is dangerous” that sees a man going over to the dark side.

It is suggestive that Qing Ye says to Xing Zhi after their brief reunion that the latter is now more inclined to meddle. For the audience it’s code for “he’s changing”. There are palpable signs that he is gradually changing. For the romantics among us, it can only be a good thing. But for the peoples of this universe, what might that portend?

The last time the phrase “the ancient ones” was something I spent time mulling over was when I was in my Stargate phase. The Ancients in the Stargate universe were the gate builders in that universe. Atlantis was their city and the exploration team is sent to study the technology of the Ancients but it turns out to be a one-way trip. The reason Stargate is raised here are the parallels that I’m seeing. In every major science fiction franchise that I know of that involves multiple interplanetary races, there’s always one or two that are superior to all the others. Humans are usually one of the youngest. In Babylon 5, the oldest races the Vorlons and the Shadows are drawing lines in the sand all throughout. Xing Zhi is from the outer rim of this universe and he’s the last of his race rather like the Tenth Doctor. But even Xing Zhi who can destroy the enemy with a wave of his hand is subject to an even higher power. He is subject to the dictates of Heaven itself. From the example of Qing Ye, it’s clear that even the most powerful person in the universe isn’t exactly the master of his own fate. In fact, the more he’s been bestowed, the more rests on his broad capable shoulders.

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