An Oriental Odyssey Episode 15 Recap
> An Oriental Odyssey Recap
Princess Minghui confronted Zhao Lanzhi at Jiang Ren's tomb, taunting him for his role in Jiang Ren's death. Zhao Lanzhi silently endured her reproaches, understanding it was natural for her to blame him given Jiang Ren was her childhood friend. He maintained that he was merely upholding the law and did not regret capturing criminals. He then pressed Princess Minghui about her connection to Shuiyue.
Princess Minghui admitted to knowing Shuiyue since childhood and helping her out of sisterly affection, claiming she was unaware of Shuiyue's murderous actions and was misled by her. She offered herself for arrest if Zhao Lanzhi suspected her. As Princess Minghui rode away, her horse suddenly became spooked. Fearing that Zhao Lanzhi, who was right behind her, would discover her martial arts skills, she deliberately refrained from using them to regain control.
Seeing her in danger, Zhao Lanzhi rushed to her aid, catching her in his arms. The unexpected embrace stirred a familiar feeling in Zhao Lanzhi, reminding him of a masked woman he had encountered previously in Luotiandong. He began to suspect Princess Minghui might be the same mysterious woman. Before he could question her further, a servant interrupted, announcing that the State Preceptor wished to see her, prompting Princess Minghui to quickly excuse herself.
Princess Minghui reported to the State Preceptor, presenting him with the fifth Divine Bead. However, the State Preceptor chastised her for her lack of progress, noting that she had fallen into traps, failed to destroy the marriage alliance, and nearly implicated herself.
He acknowledged her struggle against formidable opponents like the martial artist Mu Le, the shrewd Ye Yuanan (daughter of the Minister of Finance), and the "vicious and crafty" Zhao Lanzhi, whom he suspected was already growing suspicious of her. Eager to prove herself, Princess Minghui vowed to eliminate Zhao Lanzhi. She then inquired about the differing markings on the Divine Beads she had recovered.
The State Preceptor explained that eight of the nine Divine Beads were inscribed with secret spells, some bearing a "bulging yang seal" for great magical power, and others a "depressed yin seal" containing mysterious and strange ancient tribal magic. He clarified that if the yin seal on a bead was broken, the techniques could be learned and used even without possessing the bead itself.
This revelation caused Princess Minghui to realize how Xiaoke had been able to perform the skin-changing technique without Shuiyue's Divine Bead. The State Preceptor then revealed the location of the next Divine Bead to Princess Minghui. Ye Yuanan and Mu Le celebrated their recent victory with Tianshu. Mu Le, however, had no recollection of defeating the assassins.
He questioned Tianshu about "Huole de Tuotuo," a name that seemed to resonate with Tianshu, though he remained evasive, stating an old friend used to say that name to him. Ye Yuanan expressed regret that Shuiyue's sudden death and Xiaoke's departure prevented Tianshu from researching the skin-changing technique. Tianshu vaguely recalled his master mentioning such "sorcery." After Tianshu became thoroughly intoxicated, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le decided to leave.
Ye Yuanan told Mu Le that she sincerely remembered both kindness and malice, returning his wooden token and admonishing him not to lose it again. She also promised to treat him well in the future. When Mu Le asked if she would send him away once more, Ye Yuanan sidestepped the question, instead offering to help him investigate "Huole de Tuotuo," since he had recently saved her life.
Although Mu Le initially insisted it was his own business, Ye Yuanan insisted on helping him. As they talked, petals blew around them, and Mu Le tenderly removed one from Ye Yuanan's hair. Meanwhile, a now sober Tianshu had a sudden realization: the skin-changing sorcery was a secret contained within the Divine Beads.
He recalled a past conversation with his late Master Xuanzang, who had explained that the Divine Beads, containing extraordinary ancient tribal techniques, were not destroyed because the techniques themselves were neutral, and it was the user's intent that determined good or evil; thus, the knowledge should be preserved. Recognizing that a Divine Bead had surfaced in Luoyang, Tianshu understood that a confrontation with the State Preceptor, whom he called Senior Tian Qiao, was imminent.
Axiu and her son, Huan'er, were living a meager life, with Huan'er frequently bullied for not having a father. One day, Axiu overheard a public announcement that Lord Ye Fucheng had been appointed Minister of Finance. The news stunned her, as she recalled him being a mere "petty official" when she worked as a puppeteer in the palace, and she remembered having given him a puppet that she later took back.
Huan'er, sensing his mother's emotional reaction, asked if Lord Ye was his father, but Axiu quickly denied it, also telling him he was originally a young master from a wealthy family. Weary of his impoverished life and the bullying, Huan'er resolved to run away to Luoyang to find his father, leaving a heartfelt letter for Axiu. In his letter, he asserted his birthright as a "Young Master" and vowed to return for her once he found his father.
Ye Yuanning, Ye Yuanan's brother, cunningly persuaded his sister to lend him money for gambling, fabricating a story about dire consequences if he couldn't pay his debts, such as losing fingers or drowning himself. Though skeptical, Ye Yuanan reluctantly gave him the money, with a wry comment that his potential demise was not her responsibility. At a bustling casino, Ye Yuanning was indeed gambling and winning.
Huan'er, also present and penniless, seized an opportunity to steal Ye Yuanning's silver and a jade dice. He was promptly caught, severely beaten by the gamblers, and thrown out, vowing to exact revenge once he became a "Young Master." Meanwhile, Mu Le enjoyed a storyteller's performance, generously tipping him. The storyteller, grateful, read Mu Le's palm, predicting a wealthy future. Mu Le then inquired about "Huole de Tuotuo," but the storyteller could offer no information.
Later, a desperate and starving Huan'er attempted to snatch a rice cake from a child. Mu Le, witnessing the incident, intervened, admonishing Huan'er and making him return the food, then bought the crying child a new rice cake. Huan'er's struggles continued, leaving him homeless and competing with stray dogs for food. Despite the hardship, he remained determined to find his father.
He sought work at a restaurant and was tricked by a waiter into serving "Deer Milk Cheese" to "Madam Ye" and her distinguished guests, under the false pretense that the server could partake. Entering the private room where Madam Ye was proudly showcasing the Empress-awarded delicacy, Huan'er sampled the cheese and, to everyone's horror, declared it tasteless and unappetizing, contrasting with the other guests' praise. Enraged, Madam Ye had him severely beaten and thrown out of the restaurant.
Still clinging to his dream of a life of luxury, Huan'er later accepted a coat from an old beggar, promising to repay him. He defiantly declared that he was a "Young Master" and that his father was "Minister Ye of Finance." The beggar, amused, sarcastically suggested he wait at the palace gate the next morning, kneel, and loudly proclaim himself Minister Ye's son. Huan'er took this advice seriously.
Meanwhile, Lord Ye Fucheng received commendation from the Empress for his successful handling of flood refugees, yet he felt isolated in the imperial court, surrounded by powerful factions. He mused about his family, wishing for another son, and his thoughts drifted to his past with Axiu (Xiao Xiu).
He recalled her telling him she was pregnant and her subsequent expulsion from the palace under accusations of "wicked sorcery," at which point she had returned a puppet she had made for him. He wondered about Axiu's fate and the child. The following day, Huan'er, following the beggar's instruction, intercepted Lord Ye's carriage. As the guards tried to clear him away, Huan'er cried out "Father!" and presented Lord Ye with the puppet.
He explained that it was a "love token" between Lord Ye and his mother, which she had taken back when she left. Lord Ye recognized the puppet, confirming it as the keepsake from Axiu, the palace's most skilled puppeteer.
