An Oriental Odyssey Episode 4 Recap
> An Oriental Odyssey Recap
Upon Zhao Lanzhi's return to the Luoyang Administration Court, his superior greeted him with unusual warmth, congratulating him on recently solving two significant cases. He mentioned that the Empress had personally called Zhao Lanzhi back to Luoyang after his commendable contributions in Annan, indicating that after a probation period, Zhao Lanzhi was destined for the Court of Judicature and Revision, where he would gain direct authority to address the Empress.
The superior expressed a slight disapproval that Zhao Lanzhi had not informed him earlier about the Empress's order for Pei Xianya's arrest, deeming it "unfriendly." Zhao Lanzhi apologized, explaining the complexity of the opium case. The superior then urged Zhao Lanzhi to remember him upon his promotion, to which Zhao Lanzhi responded that as officials serving the Emperor and Empress, they should work together.
He then instructed Zhao Lanzhi to collaborate with the Three Judicial Ministries to ensure justice in Pei Xianya's trial for drug trafficking, manufacturing, and the murder of Ru Yue. During the trial, Madam Zhang, the procuress of Qianduan Brothel, was interrogated regarding her role in smuggling opium under Pei Xianya's orders and Ru Yue's death. Pleading for mercy, she confessed to being merely a facilitator, with all revenue going to Young Lord Pei.
She revealed that Pei Xianya and Ru Yue had been a couple, but Ru Yue was unaware of the opium smuggling. Upon Pei Xianya's engagement to Princess Minghui, he sought to abandon Ru Yue. When Ru Yue discovered the opium trafficking, Pei Xianya decided to murder her. Pei Xianya vehemently denied these accusations.
Next, Liu Er, the fragrance store owner, testified that Pei Xianya, suffering from old wounds, relied on opium for pain relief, a claim Pei Xianya also dismissed as fabricated. Liu Er described the opium provided by Pei Xianya as exceptionally potent, capable of inducing "hell-like illusions" and "killing people without detection." The coroner confirmed Ru Yue's death was consistent with the effects of such opium.
Despite Pei Xianya's persistent denials, the court acknowledged the presence of witnesses and material evidence, deciding to reconvene the public trial on a later date after further review. Duan Xiaoyu was declared innocent and immediately released, while Pei Xianya was remanded back to prison. Ye Yuanan brought Duan Xiaoyu back to the Ye Mansion, where Shi Tou gratefully prostrated himself, calling Ye Yuanan their "another parent" for saving Xiaoyu's life.
Ye Yuanan then noticed the mute boy casually sleeping in the daytime and playfully scolded him, though Shi Tou quickly explained he had been helping to feed the horses. Observing the boy's habit of happily sleeping on wooden logs, Ye Yuanan decided to give him a name: "Mu Le," meaning "wooden and cheerful." She asked him to call her "Miss," but he refused. Shi Tou tried to enforce the proper address, but Ye Yuanan simply chuckled.
Mu Le was playing with a scorpion he had caught. Finding the scorpion intriguing, Ye Yuanan took it to play, only to be stung and let out a sharp scream. Later, Minghui secretly visited Pei Xianya in his prison cell. Xianya expressed surprise at her presence, noting that even his parents were denied visits, especially since the Empress herself was aware of his case. Minghui revealed that her brother, Prince Yu, had canceled their engagement, but she dismissed its significance.
She firmly declared her belief that he hadn't smuggled opium, citing his prominent family background as reason enough to avoid such risks. Her true purpose, she explained, was to ascertain if he was involved in Ru Yue's death, as it would determine if she had misjudged the man she loved. Xianya confessed to a past relationship with Ru Yue, recalling how he had once saved her from harassment at the brothel.
However, he insisted that after he and Minghui fell in love, he had ended things with Ru Yue, and therefore, Ru Yue's death had nothing to do with him. Minghui believed his explanation, convinced he was being framed, and vowed to secure his release. During Pei Xianya's resumed public trial, Minghui dramatically arrived, interrupting the proceedings.
She asserted that her presence was not to impede justice but to defend her betrothed, whom she described as a "good man" who had never broken the law. She openly accused Madam Zhang and Liu Er of conspiring to frame Xianya. Minghui logically argued that the "iron-masked man," who was so careful to conceal his identity during trade, would never be foolish enough to write his true name in Liu Er's ledger.
Regarding Ru Yue's death, Minghui contended that Xianya had no motive, as they shared a loving relationship, and he had promised to help Ru Yue leave the brothel after his wedding, a plan Minghui herself had approved. She declared passionately that she could not stand by and watch her beloved be wronged, stating that if she did not act to save him, it would be as if she herself had killed him.
She then directly challenged Zhao Lanzhi, identifying him as the Empress's Censorate constable, to present any further evidence against Xianya. Her compelling arguments swayed the court, leading to Pei Xianya's acquittal. The Empress, upon hearing of Minghui's display in court, expressed admiration for her "strong decisiveness and imposing manner." However, she lamented that Minghui's status as a girl meant she would eventually marry and thus could not be directly utilized by the Empress.
When asked if Minghui's actions had disrupted his plan, Zhao Lanzhi replied that, on the contrary, she had "provided help." A report then came, revealing the Emperor's headache had returned, and he was again relying on the State Preceptor's pills. The Empress scoffed, angered that the State Preceptor's concoction was deemed effective where even imperial physicians failed.
Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan's stepmother informed her that Minghui had shown great "affection and faith" for Pei Xianya, despite his questionable character, and that their wedding was set for three days later. Enraged by this news, Ye Yuanan abruptly stormed out. Pei Xianya secretly met with Minghui, referring to their previous conversation about the Nine Divine Beads. He admitted he had "luckily obtained one bead" but had not disclosed it until now because he hadn't fully trusted her.
Now, convinced of her unwavering devotion, he presented the Divine Bead as a "love token" to signify his feelings. Minghui successfully acquired the bead, expressing satisfaction that her "hard work paid off." Her internal monologue revealed her true objective: to obtain the Divine Bead, not to marry Xianya, as she pondered whether she would "really marry Xianya." In another part of the Prince Yu Mansion, Minghui and Jiang Ren were practicing sword and flute.
Jiang Ren commented on Minghui's distracted state. Minghui then told him that she would be married in two days, implying that their shared moments of sword dancing to the tune of a flute would cease. Jiang Ren embraced her, attempting to dissuade her from marrying Xianya, whom he deemed "immoral" and "not faithful" due to his past affair with Ru Yue. Minghui, however, sharply reminded him of his slave status and challenged what he could offer her.
Jiang Ren's mind drifted back to his military days with Pei Xianya and Zhao Lanzhi, where they had pledged to attend each other's weddings, and he recalled how Minghui had never looked down on him despite his position as a stable boy. Zhao Lanzhi visited Pei Xianya, who appeared gravely ill. Xianya confessed that his "incurable disease" could only be alleviated by opium, and that this debilitated state was his true self.
He admitted he was dying and would not survive until his wedding day, expressing guilt towards Minghui. He then confided in Zhao Lanzhi about Jiang Ren, noting how he "stays by her side," accepting slavery, and concluding that Jiang Ren "loves the Princess." Xianya pondered what he should do. He also recalled an encounter with Jiang Ren at Qianduan Brothel, where Jiang Ren had pretended not to know him, despite their past as "brothers in arms."
Zhao Lanzhi found this suspicious, considering Jiang Ren's odd behavior and Pei Xianya's statement that he himself had no need to be involved in the opium trade, which implied Jiang Ren's potential involvement in the drug business. Xianya simply mused that Qianduan Brothel was a place "without ranks. No rules. Just like paradise." Pei Xianya, in his drugged state, further revealed his past with Ru Yue, stating he wished to die as she had.
He recounted Ru Yue giving him the Divine Bead, promising it would end his pain. Indeed, his health improved dramatically, making him stronger than a soldier, and he no longer sought death. However, Ru Yue herself became addicted to drugs and rapidly deteriorated. He recalled her desperate pleas to be taken away from the brothel, fearing for her life, and her accusations of his ingratitude. Unable to endure her "dark kind of life," Ru Yue committed suicide by burning opium.
Xianya grimly reflected on his "ignoble existence" while she died, calling it "retribution." At the stables, Shi Tou marveled to Uncle Xia about Mu Le's uncanny ability to soothe horses. Ye Yuanning, Ye Yuanan's younger brother, demanded to ride Da Hong, Mu Le's horse. Mu Le ignored him. When Ye Yuanning tried to strike Mu Le, Shi Tou intervened, reminding him that Mu Le only listened to Ye Yuanan and advising him not to dirty his fine clothes.
Shi Tou then instructed Mu Le to prepare a carriage, as Miss Ye Yuanan would attend a wedding that day instead of riding a horse. Mu Le waited outside the mansion. Ye Yuanan emerged, transformed in elegant female attire, leaving Mu Le completely entranced. She handed him a waist tag inscribed with "Mu Le," explaining she had chosen a surname for him that was better than "wood." Mu Le, delighted, asked her name and where her waist tag was.
She smiled, revealing her name was Yuanan, and that masters did not wear waist tags. Mu Le repeatedly called out "Yuanan," prompting Shi Tou to scold him for disrespecting his master. Ye Yuanan, however, dismissed it, saying, "One who does not know is not guilty," and told them to depart. Meanwhile, the Prince Yu Mansion was abuzz with preparations for the wedding, adorned with festive red candles.
Jiang Ren observed the decorations with a melancholic gaze, recalling a past conversation about red candles attracting heavenly blessings for a happy marriage, and wistfully wondered when he would find his own "great match." At the wedding banquet, Ye Yuanan, still in her dress, greeted Zhao Lanzhi. He playfully remarked on her attire and questioned her presence, noting that Pei Xianya had been a criminal just days ago.
Zhao Lanzhi responded that Xianya was still his "brother in arms" and he couldn't miss his wedding, but Ye Yuanan stated she felt "this case is not yet over." Pei Xianya and Minghui then appeared in their wedding robes. As they performed the traditional bows, Pei Xianya suffered a hallucination, seeing Minghui as Ru Yue. He called out Ru Yue's name, apologizing for letting her down and asking for forgiveness, questioning if she had come for vengeance.
Minghui was horrified, trying to tell him she was Minghui. Witnessing Minghui's public humiliation, Jiang Ren stepped forward, intent on killing Xianya. Zhao Lanzhi, sensing something was gravely wrong, intervened and engaged Jiang Ren in a fierce fight.
