A Dream of Splendor Episode 38 Recap
> A Dream of Splendor Recap
Fu Zifang discovered the relationship between Sun Sanniang and Du Changfeng and, finding it difficult to accept, sought death by the river. Song Yinzhang, knowing the river wasn't deep, pushed him in. Sun Sanniang was disappointed in Fu Zifang and turned to leave directly. At night, Fu Zifang returned home alone to apologize to Sun Sanniang, and the mother and son reconciled.
Fortunately, Yong'an Tower is managed by Song Yinzhang in her place, and business has remained quite prosperous recently, no less than when Zhao Pan'er was there. Gu Qianfan revealed to Zhao Pan'er that Ouyang Xu was killed on his way to his post, and the killer's identity is currently unknown. However, he found it very strange that a censor impeached Gu Qianfan in court that day for marrying a merchant woman.
Just as the words fell, Zhang Yun, Commander of the Imperial Guard, led people to the door and, by imperial decree, escorted Gu Qianfan to the Imperial Guard's private prison for investigation. Since the Emperor ordered that no severe torture be used, Zhang Yun used water torture to pressure Gu Qianfan to hand over the Night Revels painting.
However, Gu Qianfan stated that he had never seen the Night Revels painting, nor had he ever instructed anyone to forge it to deceive the Emperor. On the contrary, Commander Cui impersonated a cat spirit. Zhang Yun had a deep friendship with Commander Cui and used this as an opportunity for revenge. Seeing that Gu Qianfan was reluctant to confess, he ordered more severe torture.
Gu Qianfan suppressed the pain, warning Zhang Yun not to be incited by others, but Zhang Yun did not listen to the advice and continued to intensify the punishment. It was widely rumored that Gu Qianfan and Zhao Pan'er had a relationship, which also led the Emperor to suspect that Gu Qianfan was colluding with the Empress's faction and had instructed Zhao Pan'er to fabricate the Night Revels painting.
Since Qi Mu was not in the capital, Zhao Pan'er believed that Xiao Qinyan would never stand idly by. Therefore, they must also wait patiently; only by appearing calmer could they gain the Emperor's trust. Chi Yanei, out of selfish reasons, wanted to marry Zhao Pan'er, which would also help avoid investigation by censors, and the rumors would be dispelled naturally. But Zhao Pan'er politely declined Chi Yanei's kind intentions.
Not only had she already committed to Gu Qianfan, but even if she were to marry Chi Yanei, it would be difficult to prove her innocence, as she and Gu Qianfan had been inseparable all the way from the pond incident to Tokyo. If the Emperor wanted to investigate thoroughly, it would certainly not be difficult. Now Zhao Pan'er was very worried about Gu Qianfan's situation.
Du Changfeng, considering that Chi Yanei was the manager of Yong'an Tower and it was inconvenient for him to step forward rashly, went on everyone's behalf to visit and thus discovered Gu Qianfan's ear injury. Gu Qianfan asked Du Changfeng to relay a message to Zhao Pan'er and the others, that for the time being they should not act rashly. The reason the Emperor had not yet targeted Yong'an Tower was merely because he was still suspicious.
Moreover, Gu Qianfan had a handle on Lei Jing, so he believed that Lei Jing was currently speaking on his behalf before the Emperor. When Zhao Pan'er learned of this matter, she asked Chen Lian to help distract the surveillance, while she went alone to see Xiao Qinyan, hoping that he could save Gu Qianfan. Although Xiao Qinyan agreed on the surface, he was already calculating a scheme in his heart.
In the end, Xiao Wei took Zhao Pan'er from the carriage and revealed to her that Xiao Qinyan was someone who would sacrifice kinship for profit. Therefore, he hoped that both Zhao Pan'er and Gu Qianfan would be safe and not believe Xiao Qinyan's lies. Just as Gu Qianfan expected, Lei Jing helped clear him of guilt before the Emperor.
At the same time, Chen Lian came up with a strategy: bribe Ouyang Xu and try to get him to change his statement and shift the blame to the reformist faction. Zhao Pan'er learned that Ouyang Xu had survived and decided to go meet him in person. Chen Lian waited nearby. Upon arriving at Ouyang Xu's residence, Zhao Pan'er directly explained the situation, unable to understand why he would commit such a fatal act.
Ouyang Xu stated that he had reached a dead end, and immediately knelt on the ground. Just as Zhao Pan'er approached, Ouyang Xu, appearing deranged, stared with bloodshot eyes, fiercely choking Zhao Pan'er's neck, hating her for betraying him and falling in love with Gu Qianfan. Ouyang Xu completely lost his mind. When he realized Zhao Pan'er was unresponsive, he froze in place.
Zhao Pan'er, taking advantage of Ouyang Xu's inattention, got up and hit him on the head, but she was ultimately no match for Ouyang Xu. Fortunately, Chen Lian heard the sound, rushed in, and took Zhao Pan'er away from the residence. Gao Hui, disregarding the obstacles, insisted on seeing the Emperor, stating directly that Zhao Pan'er was her close friend and she understood her character very well, believing that she would never rely on power to monopolize spices.
To prove Zhao Pan'er's innocence, Gao Hui truthfully recounted what she knew. She sympathized with Zhao Pan'er, a woman who came to the capital alone without support, achieving what she had with Yong'an Tower solely through hard work. She trusted that the Emperor would see clearly and not let court struggles ruin innocent commoners.
