A League of Nobleman Episode 16 Recap
> A League of Nobleman Recap
Lan Jue found himself unable to replicate Zhang Ping's name when attempting to forge an apology letter, a document needed alongside existing witness and material evidence to clear his father's name. He confessed his struggle was due to his inability to be cruel enough to implicate Zhang Ping, whom he identified as the sole survivor of the Moluo Clan.
Troubled by the persistent sound of a cat, he sought it out but realized he couldn't bring himself to harm the small creature, just as he couldn't bring himself to expose Zhang Ping. He wondered if he would falter just as success was within reach. Meanwhile, Zhang Ping questioned his Master about the specifics of his childhood, asking about the location of the forest where he was found, the month, the type of clothes he wore, and the surrounding environment.
His Master deflected the questions, citing being drunk and needing rest, and refused to disclose details about Zhang Ping's origins, much to Zhang Ping's frustration. Zhang Ping then accompanied his Master on a trip down the mountain to Xichuan County to purchase wine in Lijiadian village. Along the way, they met various villagers who knew Zhang Ping since childhood and greeted him warmly, happy to see him back. The wine seller offered extra wine because of Zhang Ping's return.
Villagers reminisced about Zhang Ping growing up, noting that he was raised on meals from many households because his Master was too irresponsible to provide for him properly. One elderly woman recounted a memory of young Zhang Ping waiting for her with a small lantern on a dark night, confidently stating he knew she would keep her promise to return, despite his young age.
Caught in a sudden heavy rain, Zhang Ping and his Master took shelter with a group of beggars. The beggars expressed their hunger and misfortune. The Master shared food with them and then offered to tell their fortunes, claiming they had extraordinary potential. He predicted that one beggar would become a general, another would achieve great wealth, and a third would be elevated to the rank of a lord.
Inspired by these predictions, the beggars joyfully role-played, calling themselves the "General of Xichuan" and "Marquis," and decided to spend their meager earnings on wine to celebrate. Zhang Ping questioned if his Master was merely spouting nonsense. The Master replied that whether true or false, destiny is predetermined, but one's luck is something they must actively pursue and create for themselves. Back at his residence, Lan Jue received Wang Yan, who arrived on the tenth day to collect the evidence.
Lan Jue announced that he had abandoned the attempt to forge the apology letter. He reasoned that regardless of Zhang Ping's mother's guilt, Zhang Ping himself was only a child at the time. He concluded that fabricating evidence and involving Zhang Ping to overturn the case would not only compromise his own integrity but also tarnish his father's lifelong reputation for uprightness. The Master then used copper coins to tell Zhang Ping's fortune.
He predicted that Zhang Ping lost his parents at three, has no living relatives, and is fated for a broken family under the "Lone Wolf" star. However, he also foresaw an extraordinary career in officialdom, predicting that Zhang Ping would solve many mysteries, become a famous detective, and rise to a high position as a general or minister.
Zhang Ping mentioned someone had predicted he wouldn't survive three days in an official career, but the Master dismissed this, citing Zhang Ping's successful track record of solving cases in the Capital City, earning him the nickname "Detective Noodle." The Master recalled Zhang Ping's innate curiosity and love for detective stories since childhood, recognizing early on that he was destined to work in the Court of Judicial Review.
Zhang Ping stated firmly that before joining the Court, he must first uncover his own origins. He assured his Master that he understood the distinction between destiny and luck and was not burdened by his past, but simply wished to know where he came from. Finally, the Master recounted finding Zhang Ping many years ago while traveling in a forest. Zhang Ping was wearing exotic clothing.
The Master searched the vicinity for Zhang Ping's family but found only his clansmen, all dead in a scene of widespread death, describing the valley as filled with red mist and appearing like a "doomsday." He quickly carried the crying Zhang Ping away. He discovered that Zhang Ping would only stop crying when he smelled a sachet hanging around his neck. The Master speculated the sachet held special significance for Zhang Ping and gave it to him.
Zhang Ping found the sachet's scent familiar, thinking he had smelled it at home. The Master explained that years ago, he had opened the sachet and found petals and scraps of a rare orchid inside. Worried Zhang Ping would continue to cry once they were gone, the Master searched all of Xichuan County to find seeds and painstakingly cultivated a few plants over many years. He used the orchid to make incense to calm Zhang Ping's nightmares.
Zhang Ping recognized the orchid as the same kind found in Mr. Lan's house. Seeing the character "珏" (Jue) on the sachet, he realized it was Mr. Lan's sachet. He recalled a voice from his memory offering the sachet to stop him from crying and suspected it was given to him by Mr. Lan's father. The Master remarked that it seemed Zhang Ping's journey and connection to events in the Capital City were far from over.
Zhang Ping prepared to leave, bidding his Master farewell. The Master gave Zhang Ping a copper coin, telling him it was something to hold onto for hope. He confessed that he wasn't truly able to tell fortunes and only boasted to entertain people, but sometimes having hope is important. Zhang Ping understood, thanked his Master, and asked him to take good care of himself. Zhang Ping then departed for the Capital.
