A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Episode 26 Recap
> A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College Recap
Qian Jiu approached Zhuo Wenyuan, anxious about the Prefecture Court's recent actions and seeking his immediate strategy. Zhuo Wenyuan, however, remained composed, instructing her people to lie low and wait, confident that Yan Yunzhi lacked concrete evidence. Qian Jiu expressed deep concern for Xizhao's future, as the salt route had been stalled and the plantation trade ruined, threatening Xizhao's finances.
She reminded Zhuo Wenyuan that Xizhao had partnered with the Zhuo family for profit, but now that he had gained power in court, he had yet to fulfill his promises, which could upset Madam Zhang, the Xizhao leader. Zhuo Wenyuan stressed the need for extreme caution, warning that one wrong move could jeopardize their lives. Shortly after, Zhuo Wenyuan was visited by a woman he promptly punished for eavesdropping, asserting the rules of the Zhuo family.
He then sent her off with Qian Jiu, telling them to enjoy the wine she had brought. Meanwhile, Bai Shi reported to Yan Yunzhi that he had lost Madam Zhang, confirming she was a formidable opponent. Yan Yunzhi noted that their plan to follow her to other Xizhao hideouts had failed, but they could now utilize their autopsy findings from the Xizhao operatives. Yan Yunzhi and Sang Qi carefully examined the bodies of the deceased Xizhao operatives.
They deduced that one was a musician, based on fingertips with hard calluses but smooth palms, and the scent of ambergris, a rare fragrance only used at Shuyu Hall in Bianjing. Another was identified as a cook due to their oily face, skin covered in herpes, palm calluses, and burns on the back of their hands, indicative of prolonged exposure to oil and fumes.
A third was believed to be a porter, given the marks and distinct indentations on their shoulders. Finally, a fourth operative was identified as a fisherman, with feet that appeared to have been soaked in water for extended periods, dry lips, and dark skin. Based on these findings, Yan Yunzhi instructed San Lang to make arrangements and ordered Yan Yan to gather men, leading to the successful raids on Xizhao's various hideouts across Bianjing and the capture of many operatives.
Overwhelmed by the escalating crisis, Qian Jiu confronted Zhuo Wenyuan again, stressing the immense danger posed by the captured Xizhao operatives potentially confessing to the Prefecture Court. She implored him to leverage his influence in court to help Xizhao overcome their predicament.
Zhuo Wenyuan refused, explaining that His Majesty had grown wary of him after the Wei Zhan Hong incident, and the Zhuo family would not risk further involvement, also adding that the information might be a trap set by Yan Yunzhi. Feeling Zhuo Wenyuan's cold indifference, Qian Jiu, frustrated, decided to report his refusal directly to Madam Zhang. Madam Zhang, unwilling to abandon her long-serving Xizhao people, decided to launch a jailbreak.
Qian Jiu offered to accompany her, but Madam Zhang refused, viewing Qian Jiu as family and instructing her to lead Xizhao should she perish. Zhuo Wenyuan, upon hearing of the plan, offered to create diversions across Bianjing to draw Prefecture Court guards away, thereby creating an opportunity for Madam Zhang to infiltrate the prison.
He also presented Qian Jiu with customs clearance documents, travel permits, money, and land deeds, urging her to leave Bianjing for her own safety, though his words left Qian Jiu feeling he was only concerned for his own self-preservation. As night fell, Zhuo Wenyuan's subordinate confirmed the Prefecture Court was in disarray as Xizhao forces prepared to move. Yan Yunzhi had already received intelligence about a mob fight, a diversion created by Zhuo Wenyuan's men.
Madam Zhang led her forces in the prison break, but Yan Yunzhi and his forces were well-prepared and swiftly ambushed them. The Xizhao attackers were quickly overwhelmed. As Prefecture Court officers attempted to capture Madam Zhang alive, a mysterious black figure appeared and shot her with an arrow, killing her. The black-clad woman who intervened in the skirmish was subsequently captured and revealed to be Qian Jiu.
Sang Qi questioned Qian Jiu in her cell about her brother Sang Yu's death. Qian Jiu initially remained silent but eventually revealed that Sang Yu had accidentally acquired a secret Xizhao letter containing a name list at an apothecary. Although Xizhao later retrieved the list, they had to eliminate Sang Yu to prevent any future complications, as he had seen its contents.
Sang Qi suspected Zhuo Wenyuan's involvement, but Qian Jiu denied it, stating that her relationship with Zhuo Wenyuan was merely a pretense and held no genuine affection. Later, Zhuo Wenyuan, disguised as a guard, secretly visited Qian Jiu in her cell. He gently pushed back a strand of hair from her face, expressing regret that she had returned, implying she should have used the escape route he provided. Qian Jiu asked if he harbored any lingering affection for her.
Zhuo Wenyuan, without directly answering, stated he did not wish for her to endure endless interrogation, then left a plate of poisoned pastries on her cot before departing. Subsequently, Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi visited Qian Jiu, offering her an opportunity to confess and assist the court in exchange for a possible reprieve. However, Qian Jiu simply ate the poisoned pastries Zhuo Wenyuan had left for her.
She spoke about her life, revealing that she was trained in killing and deception since childhood, never experiencing genuine kindness until "he" appeared. Sang Qi tried to press her on whether "he" was Zhuo Wenyuan, but Qian Jiu suddenly coughed up blood and died, the poison taking effect. It was later confirmed that the poison was not from Xizhao, and its source remained elusive.
Yan Yunzhi concluded that the person Qian Jiu had so fiercely protected had, in fact, orchestrated her death. With the Xizhao group in Bianjing entirely apprehended, His Majesty acknowledged Yan Yunzhi and Sang Qi's efforts in resolving the Xizhao threat. Although Zhuo Wenyuan was interrogated by Official Yan regarding his suspected involvement with Xizhao, he skillfully deflected the accusations, and due to a lack of direct evidence, His Majesty did not pursue the matter further.
Yan Yunzhi noted that the marriage decree involving Sang Qi remained valid. Sang Qi was relieved that her father was released and her brother's case was finally closed. In the aftermath of the crisis, Sang Qi and Yan Yunzhi shared a peaceful moment together, kneading dough in the courtyard, with Yan Yunzhi embracing Sang Qi from behind.
