A League of Nobleman Episode 13 Recap
> A League of Nobleman Recap
Zhang Ping theorized that if the thief used a sky lantern, the southern wind would carry it north that night, specifically towards Yunxiao Mountain, which lies north of the Palace. He speculated the thief retrieved the lantern there and that traces would remain, adding that a giant scaffold-made lantern would be difficult to dispose of without attracting attention, making immediate burial the most likely method. Wang Yan ordered his men to search Yunxiao Mountain thoroughly for any signs.
After an extensive search, a team found something on the back of the mountain. They discovered a hook used with a crossbow and traces of burnt crude Tung oil, confirming the use of a large sky lantern. Zhang Ping also found the ignitor's cap on the lantern's mesh. They wondered how it ignited without anyone present at the top of the Immortal Instrument. Lan Jue deduced that the Immortal Instrument itself is a precision timing device.
He theorized that the ignitor's cap was connected to the timing gear using a cotton thread, allowing it to open and ignite the oil at a precise time. He further explained that the phoenix head was hung on a hook, and four ropes connected to scaffold boards acted as counterweights and were threaded through a pulley system linked to the phoenix head.
As the rising hot air lifted the lantern, the ropes would apply force, rotating the phoenix head out of its mortise and tenon joint. The southern wind then carried the sky lantern to Yunxiao Mountain. On the mountain, the thief used a crossbow and hook to retrieve the lantern, removed the phoenix head, and discarded the remaining scaffold parts without time to bury them properly.
Lan Jue noted the exceptional skill displayed in the craftsmanship of the wooden pulley shelves, observing they were formed by a single, clean cut and were identical, suggesting the work of a master craftsman. Zhang Ping, anxious about the time limit before reporting to Her Majesty, urged them to focus on finding the phoenix head and the thief.
Lan Jue insisted that given the high security at the Immortal Instrument construction site, only a craftsman with unrestricted access and time to work unnoticed could be responsible. He believed such a skilled craftsman would not be ordinary and suggested they inquire with Director Wang. Zhang Ping added that carrying a human-sized phoenix head into the city would be risky due to guard patrols in every district, so the thief likely hid the head on Yunxiao Mountain.
Wang Yan dispatched additional teams to search the mountain specifically for the phoenix head. Following Lan Jue's suggestion, they went to Director Wang at the department of Palace Construction. Director Wang confirmed that the craftsmanship of the wooden parts was superior and stated that only one craftsman on the entire site, Chang Wei, possessed such skill. He reported that Chang Wei had finished work for the day and requested leave for the next, suggesting he was attempting to flee.
Lan Jue, Zhang Ping, and Wang Yan immediately went to Chang Wei's house but found it empty. Zhang Ping noticed a peculiar dragging trace outside the house. He and Wang Yan followed the trace, which led them to materials used for making sky lanterns, confirming these were what had been dragged. Following sounds, they found Chang Wei launching a sky lantern while reciting lines about its construction.
They apprehended him and accused him of stealing the phoenix head, demanding to know who ordered him. Chang Wei claimed he also wanted to know who framed him. He explained that a month prior, his mother was gravely ill and he needed money. A man offered him a hundred taels to steal the phoenix head, which he accepted out of desperation to save his mother.
However, the man never appeared for the exchange, and he discovered the box of silver was fake except for the top layer. He realized he had been set up. To his despair, his mother somehow learned about the theft and died in anger. He lamented that his attempt to save her only resulted in her death, blaming himself and stating he deserved to die.
Speaking to his mother's ashes, he confessed that twenty years ago he committed a terrible act and had been hiding with her ever since, causing her long-term illness. He then scattered her ashes into the sky via the lantern, fulfilling her wish to see the view from above. He suddenly collapsed, and they noticed his tongue was black, indicating he had taken poison. They immediately called for a doctor.
Wang Yan pressed him for the buyer's identity, but Chang Wei died before he could answer. With time running short before they had to report to Her Majesty, Wang Yan's subordinate informed them that the phoenix head had been found hidden in a cave.
Wang Yan, recognizing that simply presenting the head and Chang Wei's body would not satisfy Her Majesty, who sought to implicate Grand Tutor Liu Xian, ordered Chang Wei's house searched again for any clue about the mastermind.
Finding none, Wang Yan suggested to Lan Jue that since no other lead existed and Chang Wei was dead, Lan Jue should write a confession in Chang Wei's name stating that Grand Tutor Liu Xian was the buyer, arguing that there was no one else among the officials it could be. Lan Jue hesitated. Wang Yan then offered to write the confession himself.
Zhang Ping intervened, stating that he was the one who insisted on investigating and caused all the trouble, and he would take full responsibility for failing to find the mastermind. Wang Yan angrily retorted that Zhang Ping couldn't simply bear the responsibility himself, reminding him that his actions now endangered not only himself but also Lan Jue.
He revealed that Lan Jue had risked his life to secure these two extra days for the investigation because Her Majesty intended to punish Grand Tutor Liu Xian and would have had Zhang Ping killed already. If the case did not conclude as Her Majesty desired, Lan Jue's life would be forfeit. Zhang Ping was visibly distressed. Lan Jue told Zhang Ping to wait while he had a private discussion with Wang Yan.
Later that night, Lan Jue and Zhang Ping were taken into custody by order of Her Majesty. The next morning, at Xuanzheng Hall, an announcement was made declaring that Vice Minister of Rites Lan Jue was sentenced to be beheaded in public at noon that day for allowing his follower Zhang Ping to spread rumors and show contempt for Her Majesty.
Furthermore, concerning the missing phoenix head, Chen Fei of the department of Palace Construction had confessed to the theft, claiming he was instructed by his mentor, Grand Tutor Liu Xian. Grand Tutor Liu Xian immediately protested, calling the accusation malicious and denying any such despicable act. Chen's confession was presented, alleging Grand Tutor Liu Xian ordered the theft due to his dissatisfaction with the Immortal Instrument project, intending to humiliate the Empress Dowager.
Another minister loyal to the Empress Dowager questioned why Lan Jue's follower never admitted spreading rumors, implying Grand Tutor Liu Xian was the true instigator behind the scenes. Grand Tutor Liu Xian was ordered to Judicial Prison for execution. In Judicial Prison, Zhang Ping apologized to Lan Jue, saying that if he had another chance, he would still investigate the case but would find a way not to involve Lan Jue.
Lan Jue told him that his sacrifice was worthwhile precisely because Zhang Ping remained true to his original intentions. He pondered whether pursuing the truth could be wrong, suggesting perhaps the world itself was flawed. An attendant arrived, informing them it was time for their execution. As Grand Tutor Liu Xian was being escorted, His Majesty arrived and halted the proceedings.
He explained that while hunting in the West Forest, he stumbled upon the phoenix head being guarded by various beasts. He declared that the recent rumors were baseless and that the phoenix head had not been stolen but, as a rare treasure that absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, it had gained spirituality and flown away on its own.
He presented the head to Her Majesty, suggesting this was a sign from Heaven, implying Grand Tutor Liu Xian was innocent of the theft. He requested Her Majesty reinstall the phoenix head on the Immortal Instrument, allowing her blessings to reach the people. Given the situation, Her Majesty agreed and ordered the release of the wrongly accused officials.
His Majesty further decreed that the false accusation against Grand Tutor Liu Xian must be thoroughly investigated to find the true instigator, who would be executed alongside Chen. Zhang Ping and Lan Jue were subsequently released. On their way back from the prison, Lan Jue explained to Zhang Ping that only His Majesty had the power to resolve the situation.
He revealed that the night they were apprehended, he had secretly arranged with Wang Yan (referred to as Mowen in conversation) to anonymously deliver a letter he had written to His Majesty. He had instructed Wang Yan to deliver both the phoenix head and the letter without revealing his identity.
Lan Jue recounted the content of the letter, which urged His Majesty to recall his youthful aspirations for the kingdom, warned about the current political turmoil caused by Her Majesty's control and ministerial power struggles, highlighted the danger facing Grand Tutor Liu Xian, and presented the finding of the phoenix head as an opportunity for His Majesty to intervene on behalf of the people and restore order, knowing this action would force him to directly confront Her Majesty.
Lan Jue concluded that Wang Yan's anonymous delivery of the head and the letter was the only path to break the deadlock, but it meant His Majesty would now face direct opposition from Her Majesty. As they parted ways, Zhang Ping recalled that when Chang Wei's sky lantern exploded that night, the sky momentarily became as bright as day.
He connected this to the legend of divine retribution in Moluo Village, which described the sky becoming bright as day and the village being covered in scarlet mist. He hypothesized that a giant sky lantern carrying a large amount of red poison could be detonated high in the air to create such a phenomenon. Just then, Wang Yan arrived with new information.
He had revisited Chang Wei's house and discovered correspondence with Xuan Ji, including a letter from twenty years ago where Xuan Ji instructed Chang Wei to travel to Moluo Village in Lingnan Province. Wang Yan noted that the date on the letter coincided exactly with the day Lan Jue's father left home.
He theorized that Chang Wei (who could build giant lanterns) and the Embalmer (someone capable of creating the blood mist poison) were potential links to the Moluo Village incident, and strongly suggested that Lan Jue's father's case was also connected to the Moluo Village events. He urged Lan Jue to question Xuan Ji immediately, as Xuan Ji wrote the letter and likely knew the details.
He added that Chen had already named Xuan Ji as the mastermind, and His Majesty was sending guards to arrest him. Lan Jue and Zhang Ping quickly went to Xuan Ji's mansion. General Cao was present, stating he was there on His Majesty's order to arrest Xuan Ji, but reported that Xuan Ji had just died from a sudden heart palpitation.
Xuan Ji's attendant confirmed his master suffered from chronic heart palpitation and had been repeatedly warned by doctors to rest. Lan Jue, experiencing stomach pain, took medicine. Later, Lan Jue confirmed that Xu Dong had secretly investigated Xuan Ji's death and found it was indeed caused by heart palpitation. Xu Dong had recovered medicine dregs, which were identified as a complex prescription for treating heart palpitation for someone with multiple ailments, suggesting Xuan Ji did suffer from severe heart issues. Despite the setback, Lan Jue declared that even with Xuan Ji dead, he was not at a dead end and would continue the investigation.
