Ever Night Episode 4 Recap, Plot

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Prince Li Peiyan discusses court politics and the succession of princes with Zhangyi Qi. Zhangyi Qi expresses his view that while tradition often dictates a son inheriting from his father, the Tang State also upholds the ancestral rule where a younger brother can inherit from his late older brother, implicitly favoring the Third Prince.

Li Peiyan acknowledges Zhangyi Qi’s loyalty to the Emperor and reveals he was the one who recommended him for his new position after being in a state of idleness for fifteen years. Zhangyi Qi pledges his life in return for the Prince’s generosity. Li Peiyan then instructs Zhangyi Qi, now in charge of the Military Department of Transportation, to expand its influence and territory, asserting that a government agency should not be outmaneuvered by Jianghu gangs.

Zhangyi Qi readily agrees to carry out the order. The following day, Zhangyi Qi, accompanied by Changsi Wei, begins his tour of the Department of Transportation’s new acquisitions, including the Nan Hua Embroidered House. Zhangyi Qi immediately orders the clearing of Forty-Seven Alley, which borders the Department of Transportation, intending to expand its courtyards.

Changsi Wei warns him that the alley falls under the control of Spring Breeze Pavilion’s Mr. Chao, the leader of the Yulong Gang, and suggests informing him first. However, Zhangyi Qi dismisses the notion that a government decision requires the approval of a gang, demanding that notices be posted immediately, giving all residents three days to vacate. Soon after, Chaoxiao Shu arrives with members of the Yulong Gang. Changsi Wei, intimidated, quickly retreats.

Although his men are angered by the Department of Transportation’s blatant arrogance, Chaoxiao Shu calms them and instructs them to guard both ends of the alley in shifts, declaring that since the new official wishes to play, they will oblige him to the end. Meanwhile, Cuide Lu reports to his master, Chongming, the former Prince of Yan.

Chongming acknowledges that Prince Li Peiyan has directed the Department of Transportation to act against Chaoxiao Shu, noting that Chaoxiao Shu is more than just a simple swordsman. He instructs Cuide Lu to assist the Department of Transportation, even sending cultivators if necessary, to eliminate Chaoxiao Shu, wanting to create chaos. Chongming asserts that killing Chaoxiao Shu is essential to clearing the path for his dominance, declaring himself the sole ruler of the capital's underworld.

A flashback depicts Chongming, as the Prince of Yan, in the Tang court, paying respects to the Emperor of Tang. The Emperor explains his conquest of Yan State was to ensure peace and prosperity for his people. Held as a hostage, Chongming denies any hatred, viewing the defeat as a test from Haotian. He quietly vows that when Yan State becomes powerful again, it will seek revenge, believing that a nobleman's revenge in fifteen years time is not too long.

Ning Que and Sang Sang arrive at the capital’s city gate and present their travel documents. A guard questions them, but just as they are being pressed, a Yulong Gang carriage arrives. The guards, recognizing the passenger as Fourth Master Qi, respectfully allow him to pass. Ning Que and Sang Sang discreetly follow the carriage into the city. They soon arrive at Zhuquetian Street, where the sky suddenly darkens, and a heavy downpour begins.

Ning Que experiences a sharp chest pain, while Sang Sang shivers with an inexplicable cold. They huddle together for warmth. Just as suddenly, the rain ceases, the sky clears, and both Ning Que’s pain and Sang Sang’s cold vanish, leaving them bewildered by the strange phenomenon. At the Confessing Cliff, Jun Mo, the Academy’s Second Master, observes the quiet surroundings. The First Brother, Li Manman, arrives, also having come to see the Youngest Uncle.

Jun Mo reflects on how some individuals, even after two decades, are never truly forgotten. Li Manman adds that while they leave behind endless memories, he struggles to comprehend why they defy fate. Jun Mo muses that perhaps fighting fate is, in itself, their destiny. Li Manman then expresses his anticipation for the next individual who will dare to enter the Confessing Cliff and, like the Youngest Uncle, choose to oppose their own fate.

He reveals he has already sensed this person and believes they will arrive soon. Ning Que and Sang Sang arrive outside Minister Zeng’s mansion. Observing that the mansion appears abandoned and overgrown, Ning Que feels a pang of nostalgia, recalling happier days from his past associated with the place. As they prepare to leave, Sang Sang offers some money to a beggar near the gate. Unbeknownst to them, Zhuo’er is hidden nearby, watching their movements.

Inside his residence, Li Hunyuan, the Third Prince of Tang, is engrossed in a shadow puppet performance. His older sister, Princess Li Yu, returns, surprising him. Li Hunyuan expresses delight at her return but immediately criticizes her plain attire and hairstyle. He then excitedly orders his attendants to perform a special shadow play he had prepared for her. However, Li Yu abruptly halts the performance, sharply reprimanding Li Hunyuan for his idleness, lack of ambition, and preoccupation with trivialities.

She dismisses all the performers and orders the removal of the shadow puppets. Annoyed, Li Hunyuan quickly dismisses everyone and makes a hasty exit, leaving Li Yu disheartened by his behavior. As Li Yu prepares to change, her uncle, Prince Li Peiyan, arrives for a visit.

Their reunion is emotional; Li Peiyan expresses his concern over her noticeable weight loss and blames himself for not having protected her better in the past, preventing her from living a carefree life as a princess. Li Yu then recounts the painful memory of being married off to the Golden Horde. She had proposed this exile herself, declaring she would leave the capital if her father insisted on making Xia Tian his Empress.

The Emperor, furious at her defiance, had harshly rebuked her as "intense and unreasonable," just like her late mother, and cruelly banished her. Li Yu tearfully laments that if her father truly remembered her mother, who died of grief, he would never have elevated Xia Tian to Empress, calling him a "hypocrite." Li Peiyan gently urges Li Yu to visit her father, assuring her of the Emperor’s deep concern.

However, Li Yu remains resentful, convinced that her father’s heart is now solely for Xia Tian, leaving no room for her. The Emperor learns from Luqing Chen that Li Yu has indeed returned, bringing with her Xiao Man. The Emperor expresses eagerness to meet the child. Consequently, Eunuch Lin is dispatched to deliver an invitation for Li Yu to bring Xiao Man to the palace the following day, a prospect that subtly pleases the Emperor.

Zhuo’er covertly follows Ning Que and Sang Sang through the capital. Ning Que discovers him and engages him in a fight. During their confrontation, Ning Que spots a distinctive leather rope on Zhuo’er’s wrist, a detail that triggers a painful memory. A flashback reveals the horrific massacre of their village fifteen years prior, where Ning Que, as a child, discovered a younger Zhuo’er amidst the carnage. Both children wore identical leather ropes, signifying their bond as sworn brothers.

They later found an infant Sang Sang, miraculously alive and sheltered beneath a large umbrella in the pile of bodies. Noticing a birthmark on her skin resembling a mulberry leaf, they named her Sang Sang. Returning to the present, Zhuo’er, delighted to have found them, treats Ning Que and Sang Sang to spicy sour noodles, which Sang Sang devours with great enjoyment. They reflect on the fifteen years that have passed since the massacre.

Ning Que then explicitly states his primary reason for coming to the capital to take the Academy entrance exam: to seek revenge on Xia Hou, whom he believes was responsible for the brutal slaughter of their village. Zhuo’er confirms that Xia Hou was involved in the massacre of both their village and the General’s household, noting that Xuanwei General Linguang Yuan’s alleged treason was a fabricated charge.

Zhuo’er reveals he has since become a military spy and successfully infiltrated the Yulong Gang, giving him connections in both the government and the underworld. He reassures Ning Que that he has meticulously tracked Xia Hou’s every move, including his habits and schedule. The two men agree to join forces to avenge their families. They share a symbolic toast, each vowing to exact their revenge.

Still enraged by his sister’s admonishments, Li Hunyuan takes out his frustration on the young son of a Department of Censor official. He torments the boy, demanding he laugh and then cry, declaring that since a prince must never show emotion, the boy must cry on his behalf. Li Hunyuan proclaims himself the "future Emperor," asserting his absolute power to decide who lives or dies, feeling more emboldened and unrestrained since his sister’s return.

He then cruelly orders the boy to "go die" and chases others away. Sang Sang expresses her dismay over their dwindling funds, lamenting that their meager savings of less than 130 taels are insufficient to cover even a month’s stay at the Academy, let alone a proper inn, forcing them to sleep on the streets and risk running out of food. Ning Que acknowledges their precarious situation and states he has a solution.

Sang Sang suggests that Ning Que, with his excellent penmanship, could sell his calligraphy. Ning Que initially balks at the idea, insisting his work is "art" and not to be peddled. However, Sang Sang presses the issue, pointing out their lack of shelter and food, even threatening to return to Wei City. Yielding to her practicality, Ning Que agrees, but only if they can secure a proper storefront, refusing to sell on the street like a beggar.

They resolve to seek a suitable location the following morning. That night, Chaoxiao Shu summons Zhuo’er and directly questions his allegiance, asking if he is a military spy. Zhuo’er admits his true identity. However, Chaoxiao Shu reveals he trusts Zhuo’er, having saved him previously.

He instructs Zhuo’er to continue serving as a military spy and to relay any information about the Yulong Gang to the military, explaining that gaining their trust and leveraging their movements is vital for the gang’s interests. Chaoxiao Shu then presents Zhuo’er with a drawing of a masked man, identifiable by a distinct sword wound on his right wrist inflicted by Qi Si.

He tasks Zhuo’er with locating this individual within the capital, and Zhuo’er assures him he can find the man. Li Yu and Xiao Man enter the imperial palace. As she walks through the familiar halls, Li Yu reflects on her childhood memories, recalling her father, the Emperor’s, profound affection for her, and the cherished items he still keeps.

She finds the Emperor carefully arranging her childhood toys, including small clay figurines she had molded, and a copybook where he had personally written on the day of her birth. The Emperor refers to these items as his "precious treasures." He shares his deepest wish for her: that she could have grown up as carefree and joyful as an ordinary girl.

Despite acknowledging her role as the Princess of Tang, he emphasizes that as a father, his sole desire is her happiness, free from the burdens of state affairs, and promises to fiercely protect her from anyone who dares to harm her.

Episode 3 Recap

Episode 5 Recap