A Dream of Splendor Episode 34 Recap
> A Dream of Splendor Recap
Ouyang Xu entered the palace to meet the Emperor, actively presenting the 'Night Banquet Scroll' and impeaching Empress Liu Wan for deceiving the Emperor and the court, causing chaos in the imperial harem with her loss of chastity, and usurping the Empress position. The Emperor was furious upon hearing this, but upon seeing the names in the 'Night Banquet Scroll', after being overcome with anger, he only felt dizzy and ordered the palace servants to drive Ouyang Xu out.
But Ouyang Xu was still being hypocritical, stating bluntly that his offense in reporting today was for the sake of the world's principles, managing to fabricate his personal desires into such a grand and righteous cause. To prove that he had not slandered the mother of the nation, Ouyang Xu used a self-inflicted injury scheme to show his loyalty, which indeed attracted the Emperor's attention. He immediately summoned the imperial physician.
What Chi Yanei admired about Zhao Pan'er was her ability to excel in every aspect of managing restaurants and tea houses. It was also because the Emperor's headache flared up and the imperial physician was slow to arrive that Lin Pin proactively offered the Suhe Yujin Wine. As expected, after drinking this wine, the headache symptoms gradually lessened. After the other ministers withdrew, the Emperor ordered the eunuch to notify Lin Pin to bring a few more bottles.
Initially, the Emperor thought Lin Pin had privately hoarded fine wine, but upon learning that this wine was the Suhe Yujin Wine from Yong'an Tower, he couldn't help but become interested. Although Yong'an Tower had not been open for long, it was famous in Tokyo because of the Flower and Moon Banquet, so he left the palace in disguise and came to Yong'an Tower. When he saw Zhao Pan'er walking towards him, he was instantly attracted by her beauty.
Song Yinzhang watched this scene calmly. On the other hand, Zhao Pan'er was neither humble nor arrogant, and very graceful, which further impressed the Emperor, causing him to look at her a few more times. Zhao Pan'er smelled the scent of ambergris on the Emperor, knowing that this person was extraordinary. Moreover, while introducing the dishes to him, she paid special attention to the behavior of the eunuch and the Emperor, and instantly understood in her heart.
It wasn't until the Emperor suddenly asked about Yang Zhiyuan, the Transport Commissioner of Liangzhe Road, that Zhao Pan'er immediately became alert and knew the other party's identity. She then deliberately revealed that the 'Night Banquet Scroll' had been destroyed in a large fire. To gain the Emperor's trust, Zhao Pan'er recreated the scene within the 'Night Banquet Scroll' using the art of tea whisking, while also recounting various details.
Because of this, the burden on the Emperor's mind was slightly lifted. Zhao Pan'er feigned calmness as she left the private room, immediately telling Ge Zhaodi that she must find Gu Qianfan and under no circumstances let the Emperor know he was nearby. Meanwhile, on the other side, the Emperor summoned his hidden guards, ordering them to investigate the truth of what Zhao Pan'er said, and ensuring that the Capital Security Office would not detect it.
The eunuch felt that if they could prove the 'Night Banquet Scroll' they had was a counterfeit, it would be a great achievement and prevent them from falling into the gossip of the pure faction. After all, Ouyang Xu's audience had been prepared for a long time, but the Emperor's visit to Yong'an Tower was purely on a whim.
Even Yang Zhiyuan was someone he brought up himself, so Qi Mu's offering of auspicious signs during this trip to the capital was definitely unusual and portended trouble. The Emperor thought the eunuch's words were reasonable, so he got up and left Yong'an Tower. Meanwhile, Gu Qianfan learned of the Emperor's movements and immediately rushed over.
After sending off the Emperor, Zhao Pan'er confirmed that the visitor was the Emperor, so she had Song Yinzhang remind Chen Lian and the others, and then borrowed Chi Yanei's carriage to go and stop Gu Qianfan. Chi Yanei was thoughtful. To avoid arousing suspicion, he specifically hung lanterns on the luxurious carriage, and carried a food box, pretending to be delivering something.
As expected, the fine carriage and horses attracted the attention of people on the street, who couldn't help but exclaim that Yong'an Tower indeed provided excellent service. Seeing this, Wang Feng, the manager of Wang Lou, also had his servants prepare several good carriages, intending to imitate Yong'an Tower.
Gu Qianfan met Zhao Pan'er on the bridge, pulled her to a secluded riverside, and learned from her that Ouyang Xu had most likely given the 'Night Banquet Scroll' to the Emperor. As the matter was urgent, he had to start by examining the color of the silk mounting to make the Emperor believe that Ouyang Xu had forged the 'Night Banquet Scroll'. Anyway, the Yang family had no surviving witnesses, so Zhao Pan'er took this risk. Firstly, she sympathized with Empress Liu Wan's helplessness, and secondly, she was considering Gu Qianfan.
