An Oriental Odyssey Episode 34 Recap
> An Oriental Odyssey Recap
After the innkeeper's men locked Ye Yuanan in the woodshed, she seized the opportunity to escape. Meanwhile, the innkeeper confronted Ling Xi, accusing him of selling her a fake jadeite ring at an exorbitant price and demanding repayment. Ling Xi defended himself, claiming it was merely a trade custom. Ye Yuanan then exposed the innkeeper's tricks, revealing how she had discerned the inn's nefarious schemes, including details about a drugged wine pitcher and the suspicious circumstances of the donkeys outside.
She pointed out that the donkeys, of different species, likely belonged to previous travelers who were either murdered or abducted, an observation supported by clothes of various styles, unsuitable for the inn's waiter, hanging nearby. As Ling Xi frantically pleaded for Ye Yuanan's help, reminding her that he was her only guide to Suoluo, Ye Yuanan drove away the innkeeper and her waiter. Immediately, the two donkeys transformed into people who bowed gratefully to Ye Yuanan before departing.
Ling Xi explained that the inn was located near Suoluo, where many practiced witchcraft, and the donkeys were actually merchants trapped by the innkeeper's magic, now freed by Ye Yuanan's actions. Ye Yuanan then sternly warned Ling Xi to behave, or he would face severe consequences. Prince Ying visited his older brother, Prince Heng, who was confined in a pagoda.
Prince Ying expressed his understanding of Prince Heng's predicament but urged him to repent for his past mistakes, promising to intercede with their Royal Father and Queen for his release. Prince Heng, however, was bitter and sarcastic, noting Prince Ying's heroic return contrasted with his own imprisonment.
He sarcastically congratulated Prince Ying on retrieving the Nine Divine Beads and asked about the King's recovery, but when Prince Ying couldn't offer a timeline for his release and reiterated the need for repentance, Prince Heng grew angry. He accused Prince Ying of mocking him and dismissed his sympathy. A disappointed Prince Ying lamented that his brother was no longer the man he once knew.
After Prince Ying departed, Prince Heng murmured that his younger brother was also no longer the same, and he used a paper crane to send a message to General Bokai, plotting against Prince Ying. In the court, the Queen announced that by the King's decree, Prince Ying was to be conferred as Regent and entrusted with the Divine Beads, in recognition of his service in retrieving them and aiding the King's recovery. The officials offered their congratulations.
General Bokai, a staunch supporter of Prince Heng, then stepped forward, urging Prince Ying to launch a military campaign against Champa, which had been harassing Suoluo's borders. Prince Ying, however, disagreed, citing his father's teaching not to initiate war unless absolutely necessary, and proposed sending envoys for negotiation instead. General Bokai persisted, advocating for the use of the Divine Beads' power to help Suoluo conquer the world.
Prince Ying questioned if Bokai truly understood the immense power of the beads and the potential consequences of activating them. Undeterred, General Bokai audaciously questioned the authenticity of the Divine Beads Prince Ying had brought back. Zhenzhen, enraged by Bokai's disrespect, slapped him. As General Bokai prepared to retaliate, Prince Ying swiftly intervened, stopping him.
Prince Ying declared that the Divine Beads were for curing his father's illness, not for invading other nations or conquering the world, and warned that anyone attempting to use them for war would not be easily forgiven. General Bokai, though furious, was forced to accept and depart, secretly vowing to make Prince Ying activate the beads someday. Prince Ying then privately cautioned Zhenzhen about her temper, reminding her of General Bokai's long service and his role as their former teacher.
He acknowledged Bokai's wicked ambition and assured Zhenzhen he would be on guard against him. Later, while tidying his belt, Prince Ying discovered a wooden token inscribed with the name "Mu Le." He showed it to Zhenzhen, who confirmed he had brought it from Tang. Prince Ying, having no memory of the name, asked if she knew who Mu Le was.
Zhenzhen, appearing evasive, claimed ignorance and offered to dispose of the token, but Prince Ying refused, left to ponder the identity of "Mu Le." Ye Yuanan and Ling Xi continued their journey towards Suoluo. One morning, Ye Yuanan awoke to find Ling Xi gone. He returned shortly, explaining he had been collecting insects for his pet blue bat. He also presented a soup he had made from wild mushrooms and mice.
Ye Yuanan, having almost consumed the soup but catching sight of its contents just in time, grew suspicious and refused to drink it. Ling Xi, however, confidently asserted its safety, claiming it was his homeland and he knew what was edible, then consumed it all himself. Later, Ling Xi suddenly began to foam at the mouth and collapsed, poisoned. Panicked, Ye Yuanan recalled Tianshu's advice that bamboo leaves could cure poison.
She quickly found and crushed some, forcing the juice down Ling Xi's throat, saving his life. As it was late and Ling Xi was still weak, they decided to rest there for the night. That night, Ye Yuanan was disturbed by a nightmare about Mu Le and the Divine Beads. She awoke to find Ling Xi holding a knife. Frightened, she demanded to know his intentions.
Ling Xi explained that although he had vomited most of the poison, he feared residual toxins. He intended to get a few drops of his blue bat's blood, which he claimed could cure any illness, as a precaution. The next morning, Ling Xi knelt before Ye Yuanan, explaining a Suoluo tradition: a life saved three times becomes bound to the savior. He declared Ye Yuanan his master, vowing to serve her.
Ye Yuanan countered that she had only saved him twice—at the inn and from the poison. Ling Xi clarified that returning his blue bat in jail counted as the third time, as his life depended on it. Remembering Prince Ying's betrayal (as Mu Le), Ye Yuanan expressed her disinclination to have another slave. Ling Xi, however, remained resolute, pledging his loyalty and promising to help Ye Yuanan seek revenge against her enemies, even if it was the Prince of Suoluo.
Ye Yuanan, surprised by his fervor, challenged him to prove his commitment. Meanwhile, Zhao Lanzhi remained in his room, consumed by regret over not having accompanied Ye Yuanan. He yearned for her, wishing he had defied imperial orders and promises to be with her, believing it would have prevented many tribulations. Ming Hui, observing his melancholic state, brought him soup.
She gently told him that while she wouldn't force him to love her, he shouldn't torture himself, especially since her title had been stripped by the Empress. Shortly after, Ming Hui's sister-in-law arrived, expressing concern over her troubled marriage and Zhao Lanzhi's demotion. She revealed that the Emperor planned to intercede with the Empress to restore their family's titles.
Given that Ming Hui had found the Divine Beads, while Ye Yuanan and her slave were blamed for their loss, and Zhao Lanzhi was negligent, her sister-in-law urged Ming Hui to divorce him for her own protection and to secure the family's standing. After much internal struggle and a reminder of Zhao Lanzhi's unreciprocated feelings, Ming Hui reluctantly agreed to sever ties with him.
The Emperor presented the Empress with a rare painting from Fusang, a birthday gift from his late father. He recounted the painting's story: a samurai who lost his master's precious sword was forgiven by his tolerant master, and later repaid this kindness by saving his master in battle. The Emperor used this anecdote to subtly urge the Empress to show tolerance, particularly towards Prince Yu's family.
He highlighted the Old Prince Yu's great contributions to the country alongside the late Emperor Taizong, who had always advised leniency towards ministers. The Empress, understanding his underlying plea, agreed to handle the matter properly. However, as the Empress departed, she deliberately glanced back at the painting, revealing she had other plans in mind.
