A League of Nobleman Episode 11 Recap
> A League of Nobleman Recap
Lan Jue struggled within a turmoil of dark thoughts, repeatedly hearing phrases about a "traitor" and his "father." Xu Dong brought him orchids. As Lan Jue smelled the flowers, his mind stabilized. In his memory, Lan Jue recalled his father explaining the meaning of his name: 'Lan' symbolized a gentleman of high moral character, firm and upright, while 'Jue' represented the clear sound of jade striking together.
His father asked him what virtues a gentleman should possess, which he struggled to recall in his troubled state. His father’s voice reminded him: "A gentleman's actions must be justified, his speech reasonable, his pursuit righteous, his behavior upright." With his mind clear, Lan Jue recalled a day when he was studying in the courtyard. His father and an exotic woman seemed to be discussing a secret matter.
He overheard his father mention leaving home soon, stating, "Every day of delay means more risk." Curious, he glanced towards the study door but only caught a brief glimpse of the woman. Despite countless attempts, he had been unable to recall her appearance until now. Lan Jue quickly requested a brush and paper. He sketched the mysterious woman from his memory, noting a simple, ancient pottery accessory she wore on her chest, but he had only seen its outline.
Zhang Ping recognized the accessory, saying it looked familiar, like a whistle he'd seen somewhere. Using his sense of familiarity, Zhang Ping completed the drawing of the accessory's intricate pattern, surprising Lan Jue with its detail and completeness. Zhang Ping speculated he might have seen the pattern in a book. Lan Jue instructed Xu Dong to make several copies of the drawing and send them to the South to investigate if the item was related to Moluo Village.
Xu Dong immediately went to carry out the task. After performing the Water Illusion technique, Zhang Ping fell into a deep sleep during which he was having nightmares. Lan Jue had Xu Dong place an orchid near Zhang Ping's pillow, hoping its fragrance would help him rest, even though it typically only calmed Lan Jue himself.
Xu Dong noted he had never seen the orchid affect anyone else in this way, but Lan Jue suggested its fragrance in sleep was better than nothing, perhaps offering some comfort. Zhang Ping later awoke feeling well-rested and reported he hadn't had nightmares. Zhang Ping reopened his noodle stall, "Detective Noodle." A wealthy young man, Qi Zhu, approached, having heard of the famous stall and wanting to try it out of novelty.
He ordered a bowl of plain noodles with a soft-boiled egg, but Zhang Ping refused to serve him, having just seen Qi Zhu casually spit out a bite of a nectarine he bought from another vendor. Zhang Ping explained that he didn't serve those who wasted food, despite Qi Zhu already ordering and insisting he hadn't come just to look. Qi Zhu protested that not all wealthy people were wasteful and was determined to eat the noodles.
When Zhang Ping stood firm, Qi Zhu pushed past him and attempted to make the noodles himself at the stall, struggling awkwardly. Zhang Ping offered to make him a proper bowl, but Qi Zhu refused. Qi Zhu ate the poorly made noodles and the egg, stating the noodles were bad but the egg was good, adding that he hadn't wasted anything, thus proving his sincerity. Qi Zhu then asked why Zhang Ping's noodles were cheaper than others.
Zhang Ping explained he sourced flour directly from farmers at a lower price and bought eggs cheaply from an elderly woman after helping her build a chicken coop. Qi Zhu found Zhang Ping interesting. They realized they had both initially misjudged each other based on appearances and the nectarine incident (which Qi Zhu explained was due to the fruit having a rotten core). They agreed to be friends.
Qi Zhu's attendant arrived, reminding him it was late, and they had to leave. Qi Zhu bid farewell, promising to compete with Zhang Ping in other areas besides noodle making in the future. Later, a secretary from the Court of Judicial Review arrived at Zhang Ping's stall and informed him that Mr. Tao, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, wished to see him.
He urged Zhang Ping to pack quickly, and Zhang Ping, excited by the opportunity, quickly went with him to the Court. As they walked at the Court, the secretary remarked that Zhang Ping must have a strong background to be chosen, as many others, including relatives of high officials, were not selected for positions. At the Court of Judicial Review, the secretary presented Zhang Ping to Mr. Tao.
Mr. Tao stated he wanted to offer Zhang Ping a position as a helper, acknowledging his reputation as "Detective Noodle" and hoping his assistance could help revitalize the Court. Zhang Ping happily accepted immediately. However, he then eagerly asked Mr. Tao about the person named Mu Yesheng, mentioned in the book "Strange Night Talk". He wanted to know if Mu Yesheng truly worked there, his real name, and whereabouts.
Mr. Tao dismissed "Strange Night Talk" as merely fabricated folk tales, claiming he had never heard of anyone named Mu Yesheng working at the Court in his decades there, and questioning how such detailed descriptions could be real without personal experience. Zhang Ping expressed disappointment, finding it hard to believe the book's detailed descriptions of the Court and its cases were untrue if not based on experience.
Mr. Tao reiterated his position but offered to let the secretary show Zhang Ping the Case Archive. The secretary led Zhang Ping to the archive, giving him the keys and a temporary token for entry and exit. He then explained that the "helper" position was primarily for cleaning, not organizing cases or assisting with investigations. Zhang Ping was disheartened by the mess but was struck by how accurately the archive matched the description in "Strange Night Talk".
He spotted a lotus jar, recognizing it from a case described in the book where Mu Yesheng had found a key clue. This reinforced his belief that Mu Yesheng must have worked there twenty years prior, finding inspiration for cases in this very spot. Though disappointed he hadn't been born earlier, he resolved to follow Mu Yesheng's path within the Court.
He decided to diligently clean and organize the archive, resolving to investigate the difficult cases Mu Yesheng was unable to solve. Meanwhile, at the construction site for the Immortal Instrument in the Imperial City, a worker checked on the structure at night during a strong wind, worried the phoenix atop it might be damaged. To his horror, he saw what appeared to be the phoenix weeping bloody tears.
Believing this to be an ominous sign, he cried out, fearing it foretold bloodshed and a terrible omen from heaven. Back at the Court of Judicial Review, Zhang Ping completed his work in the archive. He presented two stacks of files to Mr. Tao: one containing new clues he had found in unresolved cold cases, and the other detailing misjudged old cases.
Mr. Tao praised his sharp observation and meticulous work, calling him "observant and thoughtful" and noting his promising potential. Zhang Ping asked when they could begin investigating these cases, offering his assistance if they were short-handed. Mr. Tao advised him not to rush, stating these long-standing cases required careful consideration before reopening. He instructed Zhang Ping to continue cleaning the archive. Zhang Ping informed him that he had already finished cleaning and sorting the files.
Mr. Tao then suggested he take a day off to rest or walk around the courtyard and admire the flowers, saying he had worked hard. Zhang Ping protested that he didn't need rest and wanted to help solve cases, but Mr. Tao insisted the matter was settled and sent him away for the day. On his way home, Zhang Ping encountered Mr. Ma, looking exhausted.
He learned Mr. Ma had been working two jobs at the Immortal Instrument construction site, washing dishes and cleaning. Zhang Ping took Mr. Ma to his home to rest. Mr. Ma was deeply worried because his son, Ziyi, who was supposed to write by the 15th, had still not sent a letter by the 24th. He feared something had happened to Ziyi.
Linking this worry to the "Phoenix cries blood" he had witnessed at the construction site a few days prior, Mr. Ma became convinced it was an omen from heaven that his son would suffer a bloody misfortune. Zhang Ping tried to calm him, explaining that the phoenix was man-made and couldn't cry blood, suggesting Mr. Ma might have misseen in the dark.
But Mr. Ma was distraught, certain it was a terrible sign, insisting Zhang Ping was too young to understand. Fueled by Mr. Ma's distress and his own curiosity about the "Phoenix cries blood," Zhang Ping, using his Court of Judicial Review token, went to the Immortal Instrument site. He snuck to the top platform and examined the golden phoenix head.
After confirming with a worker that it was indeed the pure gold, ruby-eyed phoenix head ordered by the Empress Dowager, Zhang Ping inspected it closely and concluded that there was something wrong with the phoenix head.
