An Oriental Odyssey Episode 5 Recap
> An Oriental Odyssey Recap
Zhao Lanzhi confronted Jiang Ren, accusing him of orchestrating the drug trafficking, framing Xianya, and even murdering Ru Yue. Jiang Ren boldly admitted his involvement, explaining he killed Ru Yue because she witnessed his illicit dealings. Ming Hui, still loyal to Jiang Ren, offered herself as a hostage to help him escape. However, Jiang Ren refused, knocked her unconscious, and declared, "Princess, this is the last thing I can do for you."
He then fought fiercely but was eventually killed by Zhao Lanzhi. Before dying, Jiang Ren released a potent opium-infused fragrance into the air, stating, "No one can escape." The guests, including Xianya, quickly fell victim to the hallucinatory effects. Xianya, already weakened by prolonged opium addiction, saw Ru Yue in a vivid hallucination and tragically died.
Zhao Lanzhi realized that the red candles contained this "wild opium" that causes "hell-like illusions" and "can kill people without detection," confirming how Ru Yue must have died. As the wedding guests succumbed to the powerful hallucinogen, Mu Le quickly reacted by dousing the red candles, thereby ending the widespread hallucination. Later, Ming Hui regained consciousness. Her brother, Prince Yu, explained that Jiang Ren had replaced the wedding candles with hallucinogen-laced ones, intending to poison everyone.
He praised Ye Yuanan's servant, Mu Le, for his quick thinking which saved everyone's lives. When Ming Hui asked about Jiang Ren, she was told that he had been killed by Officer Zhao on the spot. Ming Hui then realized with heartbreak that Jiang Ren had knocked her out to spare her, intending for her to be the sole survivor while he eliminated everyone else. She thanked Zhao Lanzhi and Ye Yuanan, promising to return their kindness.
Ye Yuanan questioned Zhao Lanzhi about when he first suspected Jiang Ren. Zhao Lanzhi revealed his suspicions began at the fragrance market, finding Jiang Ren's demeanor "too fishy." He explained that when all evidence points strongly to one person, like Xianya, it's often a diversion. He and Xianya had collaborated to set a trap at the wedding to expose Jiang Ren, though they hadn't anticipated the poisoned candles.
Zhao Lanzhi lamented Xianya's death, attributing it to his poor health from prolonged opium addiction. Ye Yuanan showed little sympathy for Xianya, calling him a "heart-breaker." Zhao Lanzhi then praised Mu Le's loyalty and capability, urging Ye Yuanan to investigate his background before he came to Qianduan Brothel, suggesting Mu Le might have "untold stories," a notion Ye Yuanan dismissed as he appeared to be just a strong, diligent man from a poor family.
Ye Yuanan also wondered what would have happened at Xianya's court trial if Ming Hui hadn't intervened. Zhao Lanzhi clarified that he would have saved Xianya at the last moment anyway, as the case had inherent ambiguities. However, Ming Hui's appearance forced Jiang Ren to reveal himself and demonstrated her sincerity towards Xianya. Ye Yuanan observed that upon waking, Ming Hui's first concern was Jiang Ren, not Xianya, a point Zhao Lanzhi dismissed as irrelevant.
After the tumultuous events, Ye Yuanan prepared for Shi Tou and Xiaoyu's new life. She gave Xiaoyu jewelry and Shi Tou travel funds along with his contract of bondage, releasing him from servitude, considering them wedding gifts. Both Shi Tou and Xiaoyu expressed immense gratitude, thanking her for saving them and allowing them to be together. Ye Yuanan, seeing Mu Le hiding, encouraged him to work diligently with Uncle Xia once Shi Tou left, promising to treat him well.
Mu Le, in turn, simply asked her "Don't beat me," revealing his humble desire for kind treatment. Ye Yuanan reassured him she was "the best master in the world" and would never do such a thing. Later, she visited the senior she was harboring, presenting him with a silver snake, and teasingly questioned if he had been involved in similar murders given his knowledge of the case, to which he playfully retorted, "Guess all you want!"
Ming Hui presented the Nine Divine Bead she acquired from Xianya to her master, the Honored State Preceptor, who was overjoyed to confirm its authenticity. He praised her intelligence and bravery, acknowledging that her act of using herself as bait was crucial in obtaining the bead from Xianya. He also noted that Jiang Ren, despite his devotion to her, had almost disrupted his plans.
Ming Hui, mourning Jiang Ren's death, vowed revenge against Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi, but the State Preceptor dismissed them as unimportant, redirecting her focus to finding the remaining six Divine Beads. When Ming Hui pressed him to reveal the beads' secrets, he momentarily choked her, accusing her of bargaining. He then promised to teach her "whatever you want to learn" if she helped him find the rest of the Divine Beads, urging her to maintain her composure.
To assist her, the State Preceptor introduced Huo Yang, a skilled martial artist comparable to Ming Hui, to replace the deceased Jiang Ren by her side. Zhao Lanzhi reported to a high official that the opium trafficking case at Qianduan Brothel was thoroughly investigated, exonerating Prince Yu's Mansion and confirming Jiang Ren's private actions. He received commendation and a promise of reward for his success.
Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan's stepmother excitedly informed her of an arranged blind date with a handsome and accomplished gentleman. Unwilling to marry, Ye Yuanan sought help from Chen Tianshu in the cellar, asking him for a lifelike human skin mask to make herself appear incredibly ugly. Chen Tianshu, engrossed in his medicinal experiments, agreed. During the date, Ye Yuanan, wearing the mask, mistakenly accosted another man, causing a comical misunderstanding, before realizing her actual date was Zhao Lanzhi.
Upon seeing him, she removed her mask, identifying herself. Zhao Lanzhi recognized the mask's exquisite craftsmanship, identifying the notorious "evil monk Chen Tianshu" as the only person capable of making such a high-quality one. He then recounted Chen Tianshu's past, accusing him of murdering his co-disciples and stealing Divine Beads immediately after Master Sanzang's death, warning Ye Yuanan not to be led astray by such a "cunning and fierce man."
Offended by Zhao Lanzhi's accusations and realizing he was her intended suitor, Ye Yuanan angrily accused him of trickery and declared that she would inform her family of her disinterest in him before storming off. Ye Yuanan's stepmother inquired about her blind date with Zhao Lanzhi, extolling his noble lineage and connections. Ye Yuanan, annoyed, told her not to interfere. She then confronted the senior in the cellar, directly calling him "Chen Tianshu."
He acknowledged the name, inviting her to ask any questions. Ye Yuanan asked if he committed "that terrible crime," explaining her desire to be a heroine, not an accomplice to a criminal. Chen Tianshu pondered his past, questioning why he would betray Master Sanzang, who treated him like a son, yet he ended up a wanted criminal while his senior Tianqiao became the State Preceptor. He concluded that "who is good and who's bad, sometimes it's hard to tell."
He explained he only possessed two Divine Beads because his master only gave him two, clarifying their spiritual significance. Ye Yuanan, convinced by his sincerity, believed he wasn't a bad person, reasoning that a truly evil individual wouldn't be in such a desperate situation. Later that night, Ye Yuanan reflected that Zhao Lanzhi was quite good-looking but found his arrogance and self-righteousness irritating. The next day, Ye Yuanan took Mu Le out to a lively street.
Mu Le discreetly held her sleeve, and they happily shared food. Back at the mansion, Mu Le was tasked by the steward to deliver a food box to the cellar door, with strict instructions not to enter. However, drawn by animal sounds, Mu Le's curiosity led him inside. Chen Tianshu discovered him and, after a brief confrontation, cleverly claimed to be a doctor.
He convinced Mu Le to stick out his tongue for a diagnosis, tricking him into consuming a potent medicine. Mu Le soon suffered chaotic side effects, causing commotion in the courtyard with smoke emanating from his mouth.
