A League of Nobleman Episode 23 Recap
> A League of Nobleman Recap
Scholars gathered for the palace examination, awaiting the arrival of His Majesty. Unexpectedly, the Emperor entered the hall dressed in military attire, a stark contrast to the formal court customs. When questioned by Minister Liu, the Emperor explained that while the formal court attire represented the universe, his focus was on the people who created it – the silk spinners, embroiderers, dyers, and transporters – and whether they could live in peace and have enough to eat.
He pointed out that due to the war, essential goods like pepper and cardamom from the South were scarce in the capital, affecting daily life. He declared that the people of the southern border were living human beings, not mere bargaining chips. With border conflicts ongoing, he announced his decision to personally lead the army to defend the nation and its people.
Despite concerns from his officials about his safety, the Emperor remained resolute, stating that without the people, there could be no family or country. He expressed his hope for unity among ministers and scholars to overcome difficulties and repel foreign invaders. Wang Yan then stepped forward, volunteering to go to war in his father's place, pledging unwavering loyalty to the Emperor. An instruction from the Empress Dowager was delivered, urging the Emperor to take care and return safely.
The Emperor then set the theme for the palace examination: "When a gentleman has to fight, he must win," challenging the scholars to debate and prove their worth. Meanwhile, Lan Jue continued his investigation into the mysterious torn page from the Department of Incantation and the associated magic formation. He sought help from Gu Qingzhang (Shulin), a scholar with extensive knowledge.
Shulin recognized one of the ancient characters on the page as the character for "back," recalling seeing it in a book on ancient poisonous magic techniques owned by a wandering monk from Pujiu Temple named Sujue. Following this lead, Lan Jue located Master Sujue, who reluctantly admitted to being the sole survivor of an accident at the Department of Incantation decades ago.
Sujue revealed that the formation was the Resurrection Array, a closely guarded secret of the Department, last used thirty years prior on the infant Emperor, who was suffering from a severe illness and was believed to be beyond conventional medical help. It was claimed the array could revive the dead and heal bones, and after two days of the ritual, the Emperor miraculously recovered.
Lan Jue and Zhang Ping discussed this, questioning if the Emperor had healed naturally or if the array had truly saved him, or perhaps, if the original prince had not survived and someone else had been substituted, a possibility suggested by the Empress Dowager's distant relationship with the Emperor and her long hold on power. They linked the Resurrection Array and the Department of Incantation to Mr. Jinghu's mention of Moluo Village.
The accident at Moluo Village occurred twenty years ago, the same year the Department of Incantation had its accident where all practitioners died due to poison leakage during a ceremony. This coincided with the death of the previous emperor, the current Emperor's ascension to the throne as a child, and the Empress Dowager beginning to control the court.
Lan Jue theorized that the Empress Dowager might have ordered the deaths at the Department of Incantation to silence those who knew the secret of the Resurrection Array and the potential substitution of the prince, although Zhang Ping questioned why the distant Moluo Village would be involved. Later, Chen Chou arrived, bringing news of rampant rumors circulating through the capital, including a poem questioning the Emperor's legitimacy and suggesting a potential switch thirty years ago.
Lan Jue suspected someone was intentionally spreading these rumors. Zhang Ping, recalling that Shulin had provided the crucial clue about Master Sujue, expressed his suspicion to Lan Jue that Shulin might be Mr. Jinghu, noting their strikingly similar voices, tones, and mannerisms. Lan Jue firmly dismissed this idea, defending Shulin based on their ten-year friendship and criticizing Zhang Ping for relying on intuition and arbitrary guesses, especially since Zhang Ping had never seen Mr. Jinghu's face.
Zhang Ping countered that while a single coincidence might be overlooked, several connected events pointed towards Shulin's potential involvement, highlighting how Shulin's hint had directly led to the secret of the Resurrection Array after their own long efforts had yielded nothing. Lan Jue insisted that Shulin merely happened to know one character due to his medical studies. Their argument grew heated, and Zhang Ping, frustrated by Lan Jue's stance, left angrily. The Emperor later sought out Zhang Ping.
He knew that Zhang Ping's poor performance in the palace examination was intentional, a way to avoid entering officialdom. The Emperor explained his determined decision to personally lead the campaign, stating it was necessary for the Yong Kingdom's victory and because he could not stand by and ignore the lives of his people.
Zhang Ping admitted that his earlier view of the Court of Judicial Review as simply a place for detectives was naive, realizing it was also a complex part of the bureaucracy. He expressed a desire to continue investigating cases but wished to avoid becoming an official. The Emperor dismissed this as impractical, asking how he could investigate cases without holding an official position, and how he could dispel the darkness of officialdom without being within it.
As they talked, they observed citizens, including merchants from Dafu City, spontaneously donating money and supplies to support the army heading south. The Emperor remarked that the nation belonged to all its people, not just him, and while one person alone cannot change everything, even small contributions from many individuals bring hope.
He noted how even something seemingly insignificant, like a storyteller's script, had brought Zhang Ping to the capital and helped him reach his current point, leaving a small seed of hope in the world. The Emperor also revealed he had seen the circulating rumors about his legitimacy but stated they didn't matter; if he was the true emperor, he should fight for the country, and if not, then as a citizen of Yong, he should fight for his comrades.
The Emperor told Zhang Ping he didn't need an immediate answer and that a position would be waiting for him upon his return from the campaign. In his residence, Lan Jue hosted a modest farewell gathering for Wang Yan, who was preparing to depart with the army. Wang Yan commented on the simple send-off, noting it felt like a temporary parting.
He expressed his deep satisfaction that his lifelong aspiration of experiencing military life was finally being fulfilled and encouraged Lan Jue to be happy for him. They drank together, sharing a lighthearted promise to meet again after Wang Yan's triumphant return, and Lan Jue jokingly warned that the wine they were drinking wouldn't be as good as the wine in the capital, leading Wang Yan to vow to repay him with ten jars of good wine upon his return.
After the army's departure, Chen Chou returned to Zhang Ping's residence with urgent news from the city. He reported that the Empress Dowager had issued two imperial posters: one seeking skilled doctors to treat burn injuries, and another offering a substantial reward for anyone with information leading to the capture of Moluo remnants possessing the Water Vessel.
Chen Chou, visibly worried, urged Zhang Ping to stay indoors and hide the Water Vessel, as many people in the capital knew he had it and might report him for the reward. Just then, Zhang Ping's Master arrived unexpectedly in the capital. Zhang Ping was overjoyed to see him. The Master explained he had come to await Zhang Ping's exam results and had seen the wanted poster.
Chen Chou mentioned Zhang Ping's recent struggle with whether to pursue an official career. The Master expressed happiness that Zhang Ping was considering a path outside officialdom, cheerfully stating he could support his disciple with his fortune-telling skills, even jokingly adding that he was glad to finally surpass Mu Yesheng in Zhang Ping's esteem.
Chen Chou remarked to Zhang Ping that the Master had been exploring the bustling city daily, finding everything new and exciting, having been used to a quieter life. Ignoring Chen Chou's warning, Zhang Ping went out to investigate and tracked Shulin (Gu Qingzhang) to a pharmacy. Zhang Ping had someone (likely Chen Chou) inquire about the herbs Shulin purchased and learned they were used for treating burns.
Zhang Ping immediately confronted Lan Jue with this information, presenting it as evidence supporting his suspicion that Shulin was attempting to gain favor with the Empress Dowager by offering medical assistance for her burn injuries. Lan Jue, however, dismissed this as mere speculation, reiterating that purchasing herbs was a normal activity for a physician and assuring Zhang Ping he would look into the matter himself. Shulin, having overheard their argument, approached them.
He calmly reiterated his earlier explanation, claiming his presence near the Department of Incantation was coincidental and his meeting with Master Sujue occurred by chance during his search for medical knowledge. He confirmed the herb purchase was for his routine study. Zhang Ping was frustrated by Lan Jue's apparent lack of belief in his suspicions, seeing it as further evidence of Lan Jue's judgment being clouded. He left in anger.
Shortly after, Imperial Guards arrived at Zhang Ping's residence, demanding to know his whereabouts. Zhang Ping's Master, quickly grasping the gravity of the situation as more guards arrived, instructed Chen Chou to intercept Zhang Ping, who was returning, and guide him away from the front door to hide him, while the Master remained to stall the guards and mislead them towards the side door, suggesting Zhang Ping had fled south.
Chen Chou met Zhang Ping outside, attempting to persuade him to leave by claiming Lan Jue needed him, but Zhang Ping was focused on finding his Master. Inside, the guards searched the house and discovered the Water Vessel. As the guards announced their find, the Master saw Zhang Ping near the side door and shouted a final, desperate warning for him to run. The Imperial Guards then brutally killed the Master.
Zhang Ping rushed back, pulled away by Chen Chou, and witnessed his Master's death. Overwhelmed with grief and rage, he attempted to charge at the guards to seek revenge, but Chen Chou held him back, reminding him that his Master's sacrifice must not be in vain. Seeing Zhang Ping's uncontrollable fury, Chen Chou reluctantly struck him, knocking him unconscious to prevent him from rushing into certain death.
