A League of Nobleman Episode 22 Recap
> A League of Nobleman Recap
After regaining consciousness, Lan Jue learned from Xu Dong that a Mr. Gu Qingzhang, whose courtesy name is Shulin, had brought both him and Zhang Ping back to the residence, examined them, and prepared an antidote. Lan Jue searched for him but found he had already left long ago after Lan Jue took the medicine and did not leave any message. Lan Jue realized he might know where to find him.
Lan Jue reflected that ten years had passed since he met Shulin. Ten years ago, he was selling calligraphy and poems on the street. Shulin approached his stall and commented that Lan Jue's calligraphy was generous and detached, contrasting with his poems, which felt constrained, like shackles trapping his true nature. Shulin suggested adjusting a line from a poem he had written to "Kunlun comes to Yanran from the west," which would better fit his calligraphic style.
Shulin introduced himself as Gu Qingzhang, courtesy name Shulin. Lan Jue, who had admired the seven sages of the bamboo grove in his youth but was forced to study Confucianism and conform to the system to become an official and reverse his father's case, felt that Shulin had seen his true self. He considered meeting Shulin a rare stroke of fortune, encountering a true confidant. After their initial meeting, Lan Jue and Shulin became friends.
Lan Jue described this period, following the sudden change in his family's circumstances, as the most unrestrained time of his life. Ten years ago, Sixian Bookstore was a popular gathering place for scholars in the Capital City, where they could discuss literature, exchange knowledge, build connections, and gather information about the imperial examination. As the son of a criminal minister, Lan Jue often faced cold shoulders and exclusion in such settings. It was there he encountered Shulin again.
Afterward, they took a boat trip on the lake and unexpectedly discovered a shabby cottage in the middle of the water. They decided to rent it together and stayed there temporarily, drinking wine, singing, and enjoying the scenery. As the autumn imperial examination approached, Lan Jue's focus shifted to this crucial event. He saw scholars trying to gain favor with officials and learn examiners' preferences, and he admitted he was doing the same.
He practiced small regular script because Minister Sun, a calligraphy master and the chief examiner that year, favored that style. Shulin found this preposterous, likening it to throwing a beautiful jade into an oil pan or chopping fine wood into a coffin. In front of Shulin, Lan Jue felt ashamed of constraining himself and decided to focus on his immediate goals, temporarily distancing himself from his friend.
After the imperial examination that year, Lan Jue was shocked to hear the order of the examiners had been changed. He had made his article simple and rigorous, but the new examiner reportedly preferred fresh and elegant essays, leading him to despair. With the little money he had left, he bought food and drink and placed poison in his cup, planning to end his life. Unexpectedly, Shulin, who hadn't returned for days, appeared at their rented cottage that night.
Shulin tried to comfort him, telling him that even if his article was simple and rigorous, he would likely still make the list, or at worst, he could try again next year. However, Lan Jue was determined to die and didn't listen. He drank the wine he thought was poisoned. To his surprise, he woke up the next morning to the harsh sunlight; Shulin was gone, and he discovered the poison he bought was fake.
Later, due to Minister Liu suddenly falling ill and being unable to review papers, Lan Jue's article was reviewed by the original examiner, Minister Sun, and he ultimately secured the third place, entering officialdom. His sole regret was Shulin's sudden departure and subsequent silence. After hearing Lan Jue recount these past events, Zhang Ping took his leave.
Back home, he asked Chen Chou about the details of their first meeting, pondering how familiar two people must be to truly become confidants. Chen Chou struggled to recall the exact circumstances but said they simply got to know each other over time. Zhang Ping then wondered aloud if he and Chen Chou were confidants, to which Chen Chou affirmatively replied they were. After some deliberation, Lan Jue decided to go meet Mr. Gu.
He went to the cottage on the lake, noting that the flowers were still as prosperous as they were a decade ago. He remembered how they had impulsively stolen an old fisherman's sampan to explore the lake and found the cottage that day. He revealed that he had bought the cottage later, once his circumstances improved, as a way to cherish the precious times they had shared there.
They found a jar of wine they had buried ten years prior, intended for celebration after the palace examination. They opened it and drank, agreeing to not stop until they were drunk. Meanwhile, Zhang Ping arrived at Lan Jue's residence to ask about the investigation into the torn page fragments. A servant informed him that Lan Jue was out meeting someone but would return later, so Zhang Ping decided to wait.
At the cottage, Lan Jue asked Shulin why he had left without saying goodbye. Shulin explained it wasn't a deliberate departure but a sudden illness. Lan Jue found this hard to believe, recalling Shulin's robust health in the past, such as swimming in a cold lake or sleeping outdoors at night without falling ill. Pressed further, Shulin confessed that he saw Lan Jue was determined to end his life that night.
In a moment of urgency, he swapped their wine glasses. He drank the poisoned wine himself, then pretended to leave so he could vomit it up and seek a doctor. Although he survived the immediate danger, the poison caused a chronic illness that could not be completely cured. He didn't tell Lan Jue at the time, fearing it would add to his friend's despair, and chose to leave alone to slowly heal himself.
Over the years, he searched for detoxification methods, which led him to study plants and medicine, enabling him to prepare the antidote for Lan Jue recently. Lan Jue felt deeply guilty upon hearing this, explaining that he was burdened as the son of a criminal minister and all his actions were aimed at entering officialdom to clear his father's name, and he feared implicating Shulin if he shared the reasons. Shulin expressed that he understood Lan Jue's difficult circumstances.
Lan Jue and Shulin returned to the residence, where Zhang Ping had waited throughout the night. Lan Jue introduced Shulin to Zhang Ping, mentioning Shulin's extensive knowledge of literature and traditional Chinese medicine. Zhang Ping immediately inquired about the progress with the torn page fragments. Lan Jue stated that the words were very difficult and he had not been able to form complete sentences despite comparing them with ancient texts.
Shulin offered his collection of old texts on ancient scripts, which might be helpful. Zhang Ping, upon hearing Shulin's voice, felt a sense of suspicion about his identity. Just then, Chen Chou arrived, having guessed Zhang Ping was at Lan Jue's since he hadn't returned home. Chen Chou brought exciting news: Zhang Ping had successfully entered the palace examination.
Ma Lian had been disqualified for cheating, and Zhang Ping, originally eleventh, moved up to tenth place, qualifying him for the final stage. Chen Chou had even obtained a copy of the official list posted in the streets and prepared a celebratory meal, a "Banquet of the First Scholar," for him. However, Zhang Ping stated he did not wish to participate in the palace examination.
He explained that his initial goal in taking the imperial examination was to follow in the footsteps of Mu Yesheng, but having now seen the fate of Mr. Tao, he was uncertain about whether he should become an official. Chen Chou was visibly disappointed, viewing the opportunity as rare and Zhang Ping's willingness to abandon it as a waste and a disregard for the efforts of those who failed.
Still intent on the investigation, Zhang Ping returned to where Lan Jue was. Lan Jue gave him the organized fragments of the torn page, hoping Zhang Ping could find new clues. As Zhang Ping looked at the fragments, his gaze shifted to Shulin standing nearby, and his suspicion about Shulin's identity lingered. Shulin then had a coughing fit.
