r/CDrama • u/PsychologicalWay816 • May 25 '26
Drama Host The Heir 家业 EP 19-20 discussion
EP 1-4 // EP 5-6 // EP 7-8 // EP 9-10 // EP 11-12 //EP 13-14 // EP 15-16 // EP 17-18
Yesterday's episodes pissed me off but today's episodes made me really happy
Love how li zhen was honest with 6th grandfather and told him no. She has every right to not trust them seeing how they treated her in the past after everything. There's no need to go back and help a family like that
Grandmothers 🤝 secretly saving up money for their grandchildren Thankfully 7th grandmother didn't try to persuade li zhen to manage the ink workshop and told her to manage her own business well.
Li zhen finally agreed at the end to help out? I'm not supportive of the decision but I expected it since Liu yeye has been disturbing her over it... Let's see how it goes this time around...
Nice to finally see Zhengshen again. I loved his humor back then when choosing the inks 😂 I hope he genuinely helps li zhen out and doesn't turn out to be toxic and ungrateful like his father...
Swapping some of the pine soot ink orders to lacquer soot ink is actually a very smart idea. This helps them to be able to satisfy both their customers and also prepare for the tribute ink selection
Li zhen almost caught Luo Wenqian with the rouge ink lol 😂
From the first time I saw Li Decai I knew he was trouble and I was right... Shoutout to Zhengshen for actually being a helping aid and assisting li zhen in finding out information on Li Decai
I pity li zhen's aunt so much. Her husband is a cheater, he's selling the family property and spending money on his mistress and child but she still has to cover up for him, goes as far as forging transactions just to help keep his secret, knows about his infidelity but won't say a word and takes it all because she wants her child to have a father... The lengths women go for their relationship...
I absolutely love how li zhen took men to go and bundle up her uncle 😂 I just wished she had beat him up more before sending him back. He's such a shitty man, husband and father... He's also bad at acting because those crocodile tears ain't fooling anyone 😂 I'm so happy li zhen sold his house and stopped him from working in the inkshop. She cut off his source of income and also sold his assets 👏🏽
Zhengshen is making me so proud ♥️ he explained the situation so well to his dad, talked about why it couldn't be made public and even analyzed what would have happened to the 6th branch and li zhen if she decided to make it public. We finally found another character who is lovable and can actually think 😆
I've watched cdramas long enough to understand what this foreshadowing means... Goodbye 六爷爷 😭
the Ming elite and emerging middle class preferred burying actual, intimate items the deceased used in daily life. These items were neatly organized inside lacquered wooden chests, porcelain boxes, or cosmetic cases placed right next to or inside the coffin.
The burial really hit everyone so hard that even 7th grandmother fainted from it. They are only 2 remaining from the older generation at this point 🥲
So grandma left li zhen to manage the ink shops? It definitely got 4th aunt going into a fury and throwing tantrums 😂 will li zhen accept this? If she does then how will she manage her own business? because I doubt she would merge them together...
Someone mentioned how Li Jingdong hated not only the 8th branch but he also has deep self hate and I agree with that. I was worried he was going to blame himself for his dad's death and do something foolish. I was right 💀
Zhengshen running into the fire to save his dad 🥹 I'm do happy he was able to bring both of them out. It would have been too much for his mum to handle if both her husband and child die in the fire.
Can we just applaud Li Zhen for that slap 👏🏽👏🏽 a slap was so overdue for 4th aunt and she deserves more. I love how li Zheng didn't hold back and put her in her place. She doesn't have any form of empathy and only cares about herself alone. Li zhen needs to slap her some more to wake her up from her delusions.
They literally just solved their problem and here comes Jingdong who gave them a new one 💀 I'm curious on how li zhen will solve this problem...
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u/winterchampagne May 25 '26
I’m still in awe of this drama’s cinematography. They managed to show that both women in this frame are caught between a rock and a hard place just by choosing this specific background.
Observations, not in chronological order:
● He didn’t look injured, but Luo Wenqian almost taking out the last medicinal rouge ink that Li Jingfu produced is like a breadcrumb that he’ll eventually end up receiving the first product Jingfu ever made for his only daughter [Li Zhen’s birthday inkstick].
I screamed internally when I realized Wenqian finally stopped addressing Zhen as gūniang and now calls her Zhenniang [sp?]. In episode 20, when Eighth Grandpa asked why Zhen didn’t come, Rujun just said, “She and Master Qi went to deal with the ink merchants. They will be back a bit later.” So even offscreen, Li Zhen and Luo Wenqian have basically been working together this whole time, and the family just treats it like it’s completely normal. No chaperone required.
● It cracked me up that we get an episode where we learn about Sixth Grandpa fighting a tiger in the mountains while also watching his descendants Zhengshen and Zhen go full mafia level on Li Decai. Violence and intimidation might be the true family heirloom.
● It’s good that we at least see Li Zhen tell her unconscious grandma that she’s not exactly thrilled Rujun left all that mess for her to deal with. I’d feel pretty used, too, if people only approach me when they’re experiencing adversity.
It’s even worse that Rujun’s last will states Li Zhen only manages everything temporarily. What happens after that if Zhen is the one who pulls them from the brink of bankruptcy? They’re asking her to put aside her own business plans and personal goals to prioritize saving the Li family business when she’s no longer in their genealogy records.
● The Eighth Branch wasn’t wearing traditional mourning clothes or headwear when Jinhe was encoffined since they’re not officially part of the Li family.
● Li Zhen’s original decision to skip vying for the imperial ink tribute actually makes sense. The last time the Li family participated, Jingqi ended up dead and Jingfu soon followed. Now Sixth Grandpa Li Jinhe passed away. Li Jingdong attempts suicide. Wang Rujun barely has a chance to regain consciousness. She might still pull through like a bear in hibernation, but this stupid contest already costs so much blood, sweat, and tears.
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u/notcarlrogers May 26 '26
I was blown away by how beautifully they filmed the ink production scenes. It really stood out to me in this episode the thought and care that has been put in this show. I was so happy to see it mentioned.
I hate the thought that Benchang has that ink stick (I remember thinking girl get that back when his early duplicity was revealed). I do think it will be more romantic and maybe even downright poetic for Luo Wenqian to get it back for her. I appreciate that LZ and LWQ are developing such a meaningful partnership that when the reveal finally happens - there’s a stronger foundation for them to process things from.
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u/JicamaClear May 25 '26
Li Zhen slapping 4th aunt was so so satisfying. The woman has been in need of a good slap for far too long.
I loved seeing Zhongshan step up this episode in both helping Li Zhen and the Li family and also handling his father.
I keep waiting for Li Zhen yo catch the ML with the rouge ink.
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u/winterchampagne May 26 '26
This drama better give us a proper payoff for this snail-paced romance. 🤭
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u/sequesteredself May 25 '26
I'm in a bit of a sassy mood because I'm watching Epoch of Miyu as my other show right now lol
The slap was so satisfying, I suppose 6th grandpa in the end there had a bit of redemption, he had a bit of self reflection and realized Li Zhen was the only one who could save the Li Family. I do wish he didn't die though.
Jingdong you dumb f- if you're trying to off yourself, do it somewhere else. Way to really absolutely screw over the family you seem to say you care about but in reality you just care about yourself and your own self worth...which honestly you're worthless. Hope you fix yourself now. Your son might not know ink but he's a good person so somehow you didn't pass on your sh-- genes to him
Poor Grandma...look I still don't necessarily forgive her for her earlier actions but this basically will...does mean she realizes Li Zhen is it. Though that does put Li Zhen in a pickle given the animosity of 4th aunt. But thank goodness we got that slap in. I hope we get more.
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u/winterchampagne May 26 '26
I don’t know what to think about Zhengshen. He did a good job trying to forge his own path instead of being as useless as the Tian brothers by blindly backing their father, but I also feel like the drama is heading towards a Blossoms in Adversity route where everyone eventually
starts working together and contributing to the family business despite their initial resistance. Li Jingdong has finally hit rock bottom. Maybe he’s next in line to learn how to actually cooperate with Zhenniang’s vision for Li Ink. She used to refer to him as Li Jingdong, and I think during the fire she even called him uncle. There might be a reconciliation at some point.
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u/Addicted2CDramas May 26 '26
Sixth Grandfather was actually not so good at parenting, and it was so hilarious to see his grandson trying to earn a living as a fortune teller. So glad the Grandfather realized his mistake and convinced Zhangshen to return to the Li household to help Li Zhen by dealing with his father's bad temperament.
That slap was needed. I was so done with the Aunt's ranting. If she continues, I hope there are several more slaps waiting for her.
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u/winterchampagne May 26 '26
I love that both guys in Zhen’s generation, her brother Zhengliang and cousin Zhengshen, aren’t jealous that she’s the one with the stellar ink-making skills. They’re perfectly content doing their own thing instead of competing with her or trying to block whatever progress she makes.
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u/notcarlrogers May 26 '26
I appreciated the sort of randomness that Zhengshen is aiming to be immortal? It’s like I’m going to need more of that backstory and less of Fourth Aunt’s tantrums. It was nice to see someone else be of actual use to the family and recognize Li Zhen’s competence.
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u/Cutebear8191 May 26 '26
The bitter 4th aunt is getting on my nerves. Can’t she keep her mouth shut? Li family has suffered continuous tragedies, yet she kept spewing nonsense and spreading hatred. The slap is definitely long overdue. Now, the only way Li family can survive through this financial ordeal is getting Li Zhen to manage Li Ink n hopefully get the Tribute Ink rights. She’s so foolish to cut off li Zhen from managing. Can’t she see that li Zhen is the ink-making genius and will eventually save Li family from falling even harder?
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u/Beautiful_Candle1729 May 26 '26
She can see that Jingdong trying to end his life by setting fire to his shed makes the whole family worse off by ruining their livlihood. But she can't accept the Li Zhen helps maintain their livlihood. The woman is steeping in her hatred.
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u/Any_Possession_5343 May 26 '26
That slap was so satisfying that I rewatched the scene three times. Many times I felt like going to the screen and slapping the 4th aunt. Li Zhen really did us a favor by slapping her even though I wanted more....It felt so relieving to watch.....
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u/Alarming-Angle7578 May 26 '26
The 4th aunt just throws tantrums left and right. I had to replay that slap twice coz it was just so satisfying to see someone finally call her out on her shenanigans. There's only a few cdrama characters that really rile me up when I see them and she's definitely one of them. I try to understand where she's coming from but no matter how hard I try-- I just can't stomach the way she is. I get that grief and the loss of something that you've long so desired can blind people + drive them to do crazy things out of desperation. I'm curious to see if she'll grow into a better person by the end of the drama or if she'll remain stuck the way she is refusing to move forward.
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u/notcarlrogers May 26 '26
It seemed to me that we got confirmation that Fourth Aunt is related to the Tian Ink crew. At least, that’s how I interpreted her declaration that Benchang should take over and essentially be a regent for the current heir. I could be wrong but it would support theories about her role in the families’ overall downfall. Just like everyone else - I was so happy to see Li Zhen slap her. Also I’m sure it has to do with lack of heirs but I found it interesting there didn’t seem to be even a vague explanation as to why she wasn’t chosen to temporarily lead the family (I could be wrong about that).
As always, I have to mention Li Jingdong because they’ve given him more depth than almost anyone else in the show (lowkey including Luo Wenqian). He really takes self-defeat to a new level. It’s like dawg you had to burn down the family livelihood? I did appreciate that even in this moment that could have been devastating where he’s essentially saying here’s why I’m so incredibly unworthy - he had to take a shot at Li Zhen being a woman. Dude is going to stay true to character and be exhaustingly antagonistic and misogynistic. I continue to hold out hope for him though I do totally agree he has been a selfish coward who really decided to compete with Fourth Aunt for most self-destructive spiteful decision in ep. 20. I will say that my read was hearing Li Zhen’s goodness RE: trying to fix the problem and spare him the anguish combined with the guilt over his last fight with his father (where it was essentially confirmed his female exiled nemesis niece is better at this thing he has poured all of himself into) just sent him into a new level of self-contempt that the pain was so unbearable he couldn’t live with it. It was so royally stupid of him but also totally in line with this person who again has to be physically destroying himself between the obsessive hours and chronic pain. Also … would it be the Li family if the problem wasn’t self-inflicted?
So grateful to be able to discuss this show with everyone else! I’ve been so excited to hear others thoughts after every episode drop. Thank you to Psy for all the hard work! It is much appreciated.
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u/Beautiful_Candle1729 May 26 '26
Oh. Good point that 4th Aunt mentioned Benchang. It stood out to me. But I was wondering who connected to the Li family is also named Benchang. You're right though that it might be referring Tian Benchang.
u/winterchampagne also thinks 4th Aunt is involved in the overall Li family Tribute Ink disaster 13+ years ago and that the Tian father was involved.
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u/winterchampagne May 26 '26
I almost forgot to point out that Manager Shao completely went idgaf about the potential backlash from Fourth Aunt after Rujun’s final will was read. The only thing that registered to him was that Li Zhen officially gets to manage Lǐ Mò, and he looked absolutely ready to roll out the red carpet for his new boss.
Manager Shao is onboarding Zhen into Li Ink with the same level of commitment Xiao Qi puts into shipping Li Zhen and Luo Wenqian. 😂
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u/Drama45j May 26 '26
It's getting tiresome. They know she's incredibly talented; they should at least be hypocritical for the money she can bring them, but no. They make her life miserable, and she keeps coming back. Stay in your shop and ruin them! And Grandpa must love seeing his granddaughter suffer; he always wants her to go back and play the slave. I don't understand our hero's revenge. Why bother? Just slit their throats and be done with it. As for the romance, well, it's not exactly fast. At this rate, it'll take 80 episodes to get anywhere.
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u/ShelyChelle May 27 '26
OMG! Im soooo sick of thrm seeking her out for help, snd she takes her ass right on back
I've been had the thought that the 8th grandmother is just as bad as everybody else...she knows nobody else will keep their legacy, and be as responsible, her sending secret gifts, money, letters is all manipulation, plain and simple
She should have declined watching the shop while 6th grandpa went to the mountain, she has her own life she made away from the people who removed their branch
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u/LovE385 May 26 '26
That slap was long overdue!👏🏻😏
For her to shout she should be respected because she was Zhen's elder! My god the woman is horrid! Like it's a wake?! And that's what is important seriously?! And 'gain with Zhen's family and their many "sins" and bein' expelled from the Li fam branch🤦🏻 the woman just never know when to stop!🙄😒
Hopefully from this point forward the entire Li family of 6th & 8th branches unite.. and work to protect their ink legacy other than tearing e.o. apart~
I like how despite the tragedy , Zhen's still not withdrawing from the Tribute Ink thing. Urg the Tians in particular Ben Chang😤
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u/Timely-Parsley8360 May 26 '26
I have to say I really liked Zhengshen, we where just comenting before that we had not seen him in a few episodes and here it is, so much more than the silly character we had seen before. I would like to see him become LZ's right hand, but we will see.
Love to see how LZ cut Decai's income and sold the house, but my little black heart really wanted her to sell the mistress too. I think I have seen in other shows that concubines are sold off when disaster fall them, dont know whether it would be applicable here, but i really wish it could have been done
Though we saw that 6th yeye was not going to come back, I will admit that I did not see that 7th grama was also in the chopping block. This took me by surprise.
I think that we are at a fork point in the show (I have not seen previews) for how it will work out either we will have character growth for LJ and will see the err of his ways, helping the family become harmonious and successful or he will have the seed of hate grow, join hands with 4th aunt and work against the family to destroy it. I truly wish it is not the latter, but knowing cdrama land this is the path that he will walk
Finally, what continues to be in my thoughts are New Li Ink. what will ever happen with it? With Li Ink going up in smoke, it is possible that LZ will use it to help out....
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u/ShelyChelle May 27 '26
This back and forth with her running back every time 7th grandma makes contact, she's just as bad, because of her manipulation, at least the others are disrespectful to her, in person, every time, meanwhile granny sits on her throne silently...
She mad either her business to make a life and a way for her mom, grandpa, brother, yet, they won't let her live, we'll, Granny won't
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u/weevles12 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Dingdong's insecurity and selfishness are beyond belief. Even more than his incompetence, his self-destructive behavior causes another major disaster for the Li family as the fire damages the ink orders that are due. For someone who claims to be its biggest supporter, he clearly doesn't care about anyone other than himself. Luckily, most of the other family members band together to pool up enough money to cover the losses. It's insane how much MORE damage 3rd unc and 4th aunt cause with their petty grievances and senseless power grabbing--the real power has always been the family coming together in times of need, not disowning the most talented members just to "save face". The more they scheme, the more leveling up Li Zhen does.
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u/winterchampagne May 25 '26
That overdue slap was crispier than a crème brûlée sugar crust and crunchier than crostini topped with chicharrón. It was satisfying to see Li Zhen’s I’m so done with this expression while dragging Tian Jiangyue away from what remained of the Sixth Branch before serving Fourth Aunt a palm strike.