I'm a Pet At Dali Temple Recap, Plot, Synopsis
I'm a Pet At Dali Temple Synopsis
Ru Xiaolan, A young girl knowing Ying and Yang skills, accidentally traveled through time and space to become a cat in ancient times and meets Qing Moyan, a young minister of the Da Lisi Temple, who was suffering from Gu Du (disease due to noxious agents produced by various parasites).
They discovered that they can relieve each other’s magic spell and Gu Du through an accidental kiss.
Thus, with their own purposes, they searched together for the “five-colored stones” and “ghost herb” that were scattered all over the world to lift the spell and eliminate Gu Du.
During this period, Ru Xiaolan and Qing Moyan solved numerous suspense cases, but also started the love adventure.
I'm a Pet At Dali Temple Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Ru Xiaolan, a self-proclaimed last Yin-Yang master of the 21st century, struggled to make ends meet despite her unusual abilities. After school, she sold protective charms to her classmates, promising good fortune or predicting misfortunes like impending breakups. When challenged to demonstrate her powers, she chanted, "Spiritual spirits, come and show yourself," but nothing visibly happened, leading her classmates to dismiss her as a fraud.
Later, while feeding stray cats, a peculiar new feline seemed to guide her to a dilapidated temple. Inside, she found an ancient cauldron adorned with many charms. Reading the inscription, "In the four seas, Heaven and Earth swapped places. Reincarnation lives and dies, only the soul of the cat can solve it," the sky suddenly changed, and a bright light enveloped her.
She found herself inexplicably transported to an ancient era and transformed into the very cat she had been following, tumbling into a courtyard. Confused and disoriented, Ru Xiaolan wondered if she had stumbled onto a historical drama set. She saw a man, Qing Moyan, collapsed in pain. His guard, Xuan Yu, rushed to his side, concerned about a relapse of toxins in his body, and hurried off to find Chang Hen, a medical officer.
Acting on a humane impulse, Ru Xiaolan tried to help the man, only to discover with horror that her hands were now small cat paws, and she had a fluffy tail. As she instinctively neared Qing Moyan, his condition began to improve. Chang Hen soon arrived and identified Ru Xiaolan as a rare perfumed cat from the Western Region, noting its unique scent could counteract Qing Moyan's poison.
He proposed extracting the cat's scent glands to make a perfume bag for Qing Moyan to carry. Ru Xiaolan inwardly protested the idea, but to her relief, Chang Hen discovered that as an immature kitten, her scent glands were not yet developed enough. He advised Qing Moyan to keep the cat close until it matured, as its continuous presence would help suppress the toxins. Qing Moyan, though usually disliking animals, agreed.
Ru Xiaolan, while relieved to escape the immediate danger, was still terrified of being left with this "scary person" and longed to return to her grandfather. To further alleviate his condition, Qing Moyan took the cat with him to soak in a medicinal bath. Ru Xiaolan was initially shocked by his disrobing but couldn't help but admire his handsome appearance and perfect physique.
The following day, a body was found in a well within the East Palace, and Qing Moyan was tasked with the investigation. He instructed Xuan Yu to take the cat back to Dali Temple while he reported to the Emperor. Crown Prince Yu Daocheng requested to assist in the investigation, which the Emperor approved, appointing him as supervisor alongside Qing Moyan, with a ten-day deadline.
Qing Moyan continued to bring Ru Xiaolan with him, even during the investigation, to help manage his poison. During the autopsy, it was determined the victim was pushed into the well while alive, evidenced by foam in his nose and sandstone traces on his teeth. However, the absence of struggle marks and clean fingertips suggested he was unconscious beforehand.
Xuan Yu relayed rumors from palace staff about a female ghost being responsible, recounting a eunuch's story of seeing a woman in red by the well during a storm, lamenting her fate. Qing Moyan dismissed this as improbable, citing the well's remote location and the noise of the storm, which would have made hearing a voice impossible. He also noted that guards avoided the back garden to protect exotic plants.
Xuan Yu brought Ru Xiaolan a large mouse for dinner, but she was repulsed. Her subsequent vomiting was explained by Chang Hen as a common issue cats have with hairballs. Later, Ru Xiaolan managed to escape her cage. She found Qing Moyan in distress, his breathing shallow. In an attempt to save him, she performed CPR. As she did so, she inadvertently touched a necklace around his neck, and in a flash, she transformed back into her human form.
Seizing the opportunity, Ru Xiaolan quickly knocked Qing Moyan unconscious, stole his official clothes, and fled. She rushed to the dilapidated temple, believing it to be her gateway back to the modern world. She tried chanting another incantation, "Heaven and Earth, listen to me. Water, soil, fire, and wood. . . bring up the sword," but nothing happened. Disappointed and hungry, she wandered into town.
Wearing Qing Moyan's robes, Ru Xiaolan used his status to her advantage, ordering grilled fish at a restaurant and claiming he was her "best friend" who would settle the bill. After her meal, she pondered her transformation back to a human, speculating it might have been "because of that kiss," like a "frog prince" fairy tale.
She considered returning to Qing Moyan to test her theory but quickly dismissed the idea, fearing she might revert to a cat and be made into a perfume bag. She resolved to find another solution. Meanwhile, the restaurant owner, alerted Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu about Ru Xiaolan, mentioning she wore Qing Moyan's belt. Another vendor corroborated her story. Realizing she was the thief who had stolen his clothes and his cat, Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu swiftly tracked down and apprehended Ru Xiaolan.
Episode 2 Recap
Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu located Ru Xiaolan on the street, leading her to hide in a room at an inn. Qing Moyan tracked her there and confronted her. Terrified, Ru Xiaolan struggled and accidentally kissed Qing Moyan, instantly transforming into a cat. This greatly surprised Qing Moyan, who recalled past events and realized that Ru Xiaolan was the mysterious perfumed cat.
In her feline form, Ru Xiaolan reflected on her grandfather's teachings about destiny and causality, though she still struggled to fully grasp them. Qing Moyan, believing her to be a monster, ordered her to turn back into a human, but Ru Xiaolan confessed she didn't know how. Fearing her escape, Qing Moyan instructed Xuan Yu to bring a cage. Panicked, Ru Xiaolan struggled further and accidentally touched a five-color stone necklace on Qing Moyan's neck, transforming back into a human.
Overjoyed to be human again, her excitement quickly turned to shock as she realized she was completely naked and Qing Moyan had seen everything, causing her to scream loudly. Qing Moyan quickly covered Ru Xiaolan, ordered food, and offered her his clothes. Ru Xiaolan, however, misinterpreted his actions, thinking he was making improper advances, and warned him that her grandfather would kill him. After she put on his clothes, Qing Moyan tied her hands.
He then sternly questioned her origins, believing her to be a monster. Ru Xiaolan, realizing he needed her to cure his poison, then explained she was a human from a modern society hundreds of years in the future, and she had become a cat after following another cat to a temple. Qing Moyan, disbelieving her fantastical story, insisted she could not leave until he confirmed her words. To prevent her escape, he tied a rope between them.
Ru Xiaolan contemplated transforming back into a cat by kissing him again, but Qing Moyan discovered her intention, mistakenly believing she was trying to assault him. As they were entangled, Xuan Yu arrived with breakfast. Seeing them in such a close position, he quickly retreated, feigning concern about the cold porridge. Xuan Yu then stood outside, amused, ensuring other servants did not disturb Qing Moyan, misinterpreting Ru Xiaolan's shouts as a sign of an intimate relationship between them.
Meanwhile, Ru Xiaolan spotted the five-color stone necklace on Qing Moyan's neck. Recalling its role in her transformations, she attempted to snatch it, believing it held the key to her return home. Qing Moyan refused, asserting it was not hers. Despite her struggles to escape with the necklace, Qing Moyan merely spoke, and the necklace magically pulled Ru Xiaolan back to him.
Xuan Yu later re-entered and remarked on Qing Moyan's quick finish, then was surprised when Qing Moyan told him to find new clothes for Ru Xiaolan, calling her "an important one" and instructing him not to let her escape. Xuan Yu internally speculated about the "unordinary" nature of their relationship. News soon arrived that another murder had occurred in the palace.
Qing Moyan was ordered to investigate and decided to bring Ru Xiaolan with him, as her presence could alleviate his ongoing poison. Now in human form, Ru Xiaolan still exhibited cat-like habits, and Qing Moyan teased her with grass, much to her annoyance, though she playfully engaged with it. Qing Moyan then announced that Ru Xiaolan would join Chang Hen as an assistant medical officer, making her a part of Dali Temple.
Chang Hen, displeased with this sudden new member who seemed so close to Qing Moyan, tested Ru Xiaolan's knowledge of herbs, quickly realizing her complete ignorance. Chang Hen understood that Qing Moyan's true intention was simply to keep Ru Xiaolan close. Ru Xiaolan privately worried about becoming a "perfume bag," a fate for valuable perfumed cats, but ultimately accepted her new role, reasoning that she and Qing Moyan had a mutually beneficial relationship.
Qing Moyan reminded her to uphold Dali Temple's name and address him as "Sir" from now on. Qing Moyan took Ru Xiaolan to the palace crime scene. To reconstruct the events, he used her to act as the victim, which Ru Xiaolan charmingly misinterpreted as romantic advances. Qing Moyan deduced the sequence of events from footprints, concluding that the killer attacked a guard and a maid before disappearing.
Once Qing Moyan finished his deductions, he unceremoniously pushed Ru Xiaolan aside, infuriating her, and she loudly called him crazy. At the scene, Xuan Yu discovered a woman's hairpin. Qing Moyan then instructed Xuan Yu to retrieve Ru Xiaolan, who had wandered off, and prevent her from running away again. Ru Xiaolan, delighted, had found a peach tree in the palace and was happily picking and eating peaches.
Elsewhere, the Prince, deeply concerned about the three recent murders in the East Palace, conversed with his attendant Yin Shang about the Dali Temple's investigation, vowing to personally punish the killer. As he left, he encountered Ru Xiaolan eating peaches.
Episode 3 Recap
Ru Xiaolan was caught by the Crown Prince while secretly eating peaches. Startled, she hid on the ground. When questioned about her identity, she quickly explained she had done nothing wrong and merely "accidentally took this peach," offering to return it. Qing Moyan arrived and introduced her as Ru Xiaolan, the new medical officer from Dali Temple, apologizing for her lack of knowledge regarding palace rules.
He prompted Ru Xiaolan to greet the Crown Prince, which she did, apologizing for her mistake. The Crown Prince, unfazed, told her not to walk alone due to recent incidents in the palace and allowed her to keep the peach. As the Crown Prince and Qing Moyan were conversing, a subordinate arrived with news that the maid attacked the previous night, A'ran, had regained consciousness. A'ran identified Zhi'er as the killer who murdered the guard.
Zhi'er was then brought before them. When questioned by the Crown Prince, Zhi'er admitted that the blood-stained hairpin found at the crime scene belonged to her, but she vehemently denied committing the murder. The Crown Prince, convinced by the eyewitness testimony and evidence, intended to immediately execute Zhi'er. However, Qing Moyan suspected deeper complexities in the case and interceded, requesting to take Zhi'er to Dali Temple for interrogation.
The Crown Prince granted him three days to solve the case, warning that failure would result in Qing Moyan's immediate removal from Dali Temple. Qing Moyan accepted the challenge and ordered Xuan Yu to transport Zhi'er to Dali Temple, despite her continued pleas of innocence. Ru Xiaolan noticed that Zhi'er also wore a five-color stone, which immediately piqued her interest.
She approached Xuan Yu, pleading for his help to visit Zhi'er in prison, explaining that she only wanted to see the suspect for a moment and would not cause trouble. Xuan Yu, however, refused her request, fearing Qing Moyan's disapproval and reminding her of her previous unauthorized wandering. Ru Xiaolan, determined to acquire a five-color stone, stole Qing Moyan's and attempted to use her Yin and Yang techniques to seal its power, hoping it would help her return home.
Qing Moyan discovered her actions and demanded the stone back, questioning her knowledge of Yin and Yang and her connection to the stone, implying she was a "monster." Ru Xiaolan denied practicing Yin and Yang and explained she only stole the stone because she didn't know how else to find her way home. She also revealed that she and her grandfather used Yin and Yang power to "cast out demons for others and sell some peach wood lucky charms."
Skeptical of her explanation and concerned about her potential misuse of Yin and Yang power, Qing Moyan forbade her from leaving Dali Temple without his permission, effectively confining her there. Ru Xiaolan questioned why he continued to treat her like a criminal. Shortly after Zhi'er was imprisoned, a subordinate reported that she had escaped. In her empty cell, Ru Xiaolan noticed a suspicious spider, but Qing Moyan pulled her away before she could investigate further.
Qing Moyan noted that Zhi'er's escape from such tight security suggested she was no ordinary person. Later, when Qing Moyan was again warning Ru Xiaolan to stay out of Zhi'er's case, reiterating that Zhi'er was a dangerous criminal and her escape was a serious matter, Ru Xiaolan protested, citing Zhi'er's five-color stone as crucial for her own journey home. Their argument was interrupted by a sudden thunderstorm. Terrified of the lightning and thunder, Ru Xiaolan instinctively clung to Qing Moyan.
Although he initially tried to push her away, calling her "overreacting," her profound fear, which she explained by mentioning her grandfather's comforting presence during storms, eventually moved him. Seeing her genuine distress, Qing Moyan tenderly cupped her face, offering comfort. Meanwhile, in the East Palace, the Crown Prince was discussing the recent murders with the Empress, who had come to express her concern and urge caution.
Their conversation was interrupted by a panicked report that all the guards outside had been killed. Coincidentally, Zhi'er suddenly reappeared in A'ran's room, confronting her and demanding to know why she had been framed. A terrified A'ran screamed for help, summoning the Crown Prince. However, by the time the Crown Prince and his guards entered the room, Zhi'er had once again mysteriously vanished.
Ru Xiaolan, convinced that Zhi'er was a monster and linked to the escalating murders, realized the importance of Zhi'er's five-color stone for her own journey home. Enraged by the deaths of his loyal guards, many of whom had fought alongside him in wars, the Crown Prince confronted Qing Moyan, accusing Dali Temple of negligence and ordering him to immediately solve the case and apprehend the killer, threatening severe consequences if he failed.
Chang Hen instructed Ru Xiaolan to go to the market to purchase a long list of herbal tonics for Qing Moyan, who reportedly suffered from low body temperature. While on her errand, Ru Xiaolan decided to approach the Crown Prince for information about Zhi'er, reasoning that as Zhi'er's master, he might hold crucial clues. To her surprise, she soon encountered the Crown Prince out walking.
Ru Xiaolan skillfully lifted his spirits by playfully teasing his subordinate, causing the Crown Prince to smile, and then advised him to eat plenty of fish and meat. Charmed by her, the Crown Prince invited her to share a meal, which she happily accepted, insisting he pay since she had no money. Concurrently, Qing Moyan and Chang Hen conducted autopsies on the newly deceased guards from the East Palace.
They found no external wounds or signs of poisoning, but noted that all victims suffered from internal bleeding and had black blood, similar to the first murder victim. Qing Moyan, suspecting a vendetta, instructed Xuan Yu to investigate all locations the Jinwu Guards had visited with the Crown Prince, believing Zhi'er remained the prime suspect due to her mysterious disappearances within the palace. Ru Xiaolan seized the opportunity to question the Crown Prince about Zhi'er.
The Crown Prince recounted that he had taken Zhi'er in from the battlefield out of pity, but he regretted his trust in her, now believing she was the killer responsible for his guards' deaths. When Ru Xiaolan inquired if Zhi'er wore a five-color stone, the Crown Prince angrily cut her off, stating he no longer wished to speak about Zhi'er and blamed his misplaced trust for the guards' demise.
Believing the spider she saw in the prison might be connected to Zhi'er, Ru Xiaolan offered the Crown Prince a protective charm, taught to her by her grandfather, to keep him safe. Qing Moyan arrived and, witnessing the familiarity between Ru Xiaolan and the Crown Prince, was visibly jealous. He informed the Crown Prince that he had come to ensure his safety and urged him to return to the East Palace.
When the Crown Prince pushed back, Qing Moyan asserted that Ru Xiaolan was his subordinate and had neglected her duties, thus he intended to take her back to Dali Temple for punishment. However, the Crown Prince intervened, declaring his intention to take Ru Xiaolan into his palace as a maid.
Qing Moyan countered that as an important medical officer, she could only be transferred with the Empress's approval, firmly stating that until then, she would remain at Dali Temple under his supervision, preventing the Crown Prince from taking her away. Seeing the escalating tension, Ru Xiaolan tried to diffuse the situation by offering to return to Dali Temple, but Qing Moyan stopped her, asserting his claim.
Episode 4 Recap
Qing Moyan led Ru Xiaolan away, upset that she had gotten close to the crown prince. He feigned suspicion, telling her that since mysterious things had happened since her arrival, and he had seen her transform into a cat, he couldn't be sure she wouldn't use magic for evil. Therefore, he stated, she was forbidden to leave his side.
Ru Xiaolan asserted that her grandfather taught her Yin and Yang to help others and that she wouldn't have a chance to harm anyone with him constantly watching her. Angered by his continued distrust, Ru Xiaolan defiantly declared she would go see the crown prince. She then told Qing Moyan her suspicions, explaining that she had seen spider silk on the crown prince, similar to what she saw in prison.
This led her to believe Zhie'er was a spider spirit who had transformed to escape prison. She added that A'ran, who had previously reported Zhie'er, would likely be Zhie'er's next target for revenge. Before their conversation concluded, a distant cry for help from A'ran confirmed Ru Xiaolan's fears. Zhie'er had indeed sought out A'ran, demanding to know why she had framed her. Qing Moyan swiftly arrived and fought with Zhie'er.
At a crucial moment, Ru Xiaolan used Yin and Yang to freeze Zhie'er in place. Back in prison, Zhie'er pleaded with Qing Moyan, denying she was the killer and explaining that the crown prince was in danger. She insisted the situation was worsening and that she needed to be released immediately to prevent further harm. Qing Moyan did not believe her and further sealed her with a talisman.
Feeling she had earned a reward for her part in capturing Zhie'er, Ru Xiaolan demanded Qing Moyan's five-color stone. Qing Moyan flatly denied her request and playfully teased her with a piece of grass, which, due to her feline instincts, amused her greatly. Qing Moyan had Xuan Yu investigate the crown prince's past.
Xuan Yu reported that the crown prince had once led a campaign that nearly wiped out a tribe called the Sai Er La, who were known for their skill with insects. Qing Moyan surmised that surviving members of the tribe might have infiltrated the palace to seek revenge. Ru Xiaolan went to speak with Zhie'er, hoping to learn more about the five-color stone.
Zhie'er revealed that she had found her stone on Mount Xian Yang, which allowed her to take human form. She agreed to give Ru Xiaolan her stone on the condition that Ru Xiaolan help save the crown prince. Zhie'er explained that on the night of the guards' deaths, she had not killed them but was trying to save them by extracting parasitic worms from their bodies with her hairpin. Simultaneously, Qing Moyan and Chang Hen's investigation confirmed Zhie'er's claims.
They discovered that the guards had been poisoned by a type of toxic bee used by the Sai Er La tribe and identified A'ran as a member of the tribe. Realizing the truth, they rushed to protect the crown prince. A'ran had lured the crown prince to a secluded area and attempted to kill him, but the crown prince was prepared. He revealed he had long suspected Zhie'er was innocent and had deliberately followed A'ran to draw out her co-conspirators.
The other Sai Er La members appeared, but Qing Moyan and his guards arrived just in time. Seeing her plans thwarted, A'ran launched a final surprise attack on the crown prince. Ru Xiaolan intervened, saving the crown prince but spraining her ankle in the process. The crown prince immediately picked her up to carry her for treatment, much to Qing Moyan's fury. Asserting that Ru Xiaolan was his subordinate, Qing Moyan took her back to Dali Temple.
Back at Dali Temple, Qing Moyan presented Ru Xiaolan with wound medicine, but she didn't know how to use it. Amused, he applied the medicine to her swollen ankle himself. Ru Xiaolan seized the opportunity to once again ask for his five-color stone, explaining that she believed collecting all five stones would allow her to return home. Qing Moyan agreed to consider lending her his stone once she had collected the other four.
He then explained A'ran's full plot: knowing the crown prince was kind to his guards and often shared food, A'ran had embedded parasitic bee eggs into his food. The guards ate it, and the eggs hatched and killed them from within. The crown prince, however, had given his portion to the soldiers and was spared. Qing Moyan also informed Ru Xiaolan that Zhie'er, for withholding information, had been banished from the city. Ru Xiaolan went to bid Zhie'er farewell.
Zhie'er confided that A'ran was her first friend in the palace, which was why she couldn't bring herself to expose her. Deciding to return to the mountains to continue her spiritual training, Zhie'er gave Ru Xiaolan her five-color stone before departing. Ru Xiaolan began to study the five-color stone, sealing its power with a chant. She decided to playfully use the stone to transform into a cat, but after successfully transforming, she promptly got stuck under a blanket.
Qing Moyan found her predicament hilarious, calling her a "troublemaker" before unsealing the stone to change her back. Once human again, Ru Xiaolan playfully demonstrated her feline agility by catching a small item he tossed. Watching her, Qing Moyan remarked that his "pet" had turned out to be quite interesting. As Ru Xiaolan protested that she wasn't his pet, he declared, "You little thing, I won't let you leave me."
Episode 5 Recap
While playing with the five-color stone, Ru Xiaolan was startled when it suddenly glowed. Her eyes turned yellow like the stone, granting her perfect night vision. She exclaimed, "Oh no! What happened? I can see so clearly even in the dark. What's going on?" Frightened, she worried she was turning back into a cat, crying out, "How did I even do that? I don't want to be a half-cat. . ." but soon realized her body remained human.
Meanwhile, Zhi'er, on her way to cultivate in the deep mountains, was attacked and knocked unconscious, reverting to her original form. It turned out a mysterious woman was behind the assault, seeking the five-color stone. Upon realizing Zhi'er no longer possessed it, the woman commented, "So the five-color stone wasn't on her. Find it for me, quickly. Only in this way can I find the accompaniment for my stone." Her subordinate confirmed, "Yes, Madam."
The woman's plan was thwarted as Zhi'er had already given the stone to Ru Xiaolan. Dali Temple received a report from Mrs. Nian, whose husband, Mr. Nian, had been missing for over ten days. Xuan Yu explained, "Sir, Mrs. Nian came to make a request, complaining about Mr. Nian being seduced by a prostitute at Qian Lefang. He hasn't returned home for more than ten days. She asked us to investigate it and bring her husband back."
Qing Moyan found this suspicious, stating, "If he was tempted by a prostitute, it's impossible not to go home for more than ten days." Xuan Yu agreed, but added, "Mrs. Nian said the neighbors saw Mr. Nian go to Qian Lefang. So, she insists she is right about Qian Lefang." Qing Moyan concluded, "Looks like we have to visit Qian Lefang. Also, call Ru Xiaolan here. We will go together."
Before entering the establishment, Qing Moyan instructed Ru Xiaolan, "Don't follow me after we go in." Ru Xiaolan, repulsed by the smell, declared, "It smells so bad here. Just go in, I'll leave." Qing Moyan then said to Xuan Yu, "Xuan Yu," implying he should look after Ru Xiaolan, to which Xuan Yu replied, "Yes." Inside, Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu met Miss Hong Ling, the representative of Qian Lefang.
Xuan Yu introduced her, explaining, "She knows all the female workers here. If there is anything we need to ask, ask her." Miss Hong Ling greeted Qing Moyan, "I'm flattered. Mr. Qing, you came here for information. What do you want to ask?" Qing Moyan inquired about Mr. Nian, "I came here to ask about Mr. Nian's whereabouts. Mr. Nian used to come here often."
Hong Ling confirmed that "the last time he was here was more than ten days ago." When Qing Moyan pressed about anything suspicious, she revealed a crucial clue: "The jade face doll." While shopping, Ru Xiaolan visited a doll shop, exclaiming, "Wow. Even in ancient times, they had things like this." She soon encountered the headstrong Princess Liu Yang, and they immediately clashed over a doll. Princess Liu Yang snatched a doll, declaring, "I saw it first. Put it down."
Ru Xiaolan retorted, "I clearly saw it first. Why would I give it to you?" Princess Liu Yang challenged her, "How dare you. Is it possible that you don't know who I am?" An attendant informed Ru Xiaolan that she was Princess Liu Yang, a member of the Crown Prince's family, and demanded she greet her. Ru Xiaolan responded with a casual "Oh. Greetings, huh? Hi."
The princess, bewildered by the unfamiliar greeting, snapped, "At this time you don't know what 'Hi' is." Qing Moyan arrived, calling out "Ru Xiaolan!" Princess Liu Yang, still upset, complained, "Where did this irreverent woman come from? She was mean towards me." Ru Xiaolan shot back, "Oh my god! Why are you so rude?" The princess escalated, "Well, come and fight me." Qing Moyan remarked, "Making troubles again," while Ru Xiaolan insisted, "She started it."
Princess Liu Yang then warmly greeted Qing Moyan, "Brother Moyan, what a coincidence. You're here too." Qing Moyan respectfully greeted the princess and apologized for Ru Xiaolan's impudence, explaining, "She's the new medical officer assistant at Dali Temple. She still doesn't understand manners, and I'm sorry for her behavior. I hope you can forgive her." The princess accepted, claiming, "I'm not a narrow-minded person. Of course, I can forgive her." She then seized the opportunity to invite Qing Moyan, "But.
. . Brother Moyan, you have to come to the Plum Flower Party that I'm holding." Qing Moyan politely declined, citing his responsibilities: "I am very grateful for your invitation. But there're many cases that must be solved at Dali Temple, I'm afraid I can't come." The princess expressed her disappointment, "How can this be? I've been planning this event for a long time for you." Qing Moyan reiterated his need to leave, "Still, I have a lot of business.
I must go now." After everyone left, Princess Liu Yang noticed the jade face doll in the shop emitting a faint green glow. Qing Moyan's father, the Marquis, visited and expressed concern about his son's marriage. Ru Xiaolan, helping a servant prepare food, asked, "Who is that person?" and was told, "He's our Sir's father." She then wondered, "Shouldn't he be happy to meet his dad? Why does he have such a zombie face?"
The Marquis informed Qing Moyan, "Today, the emperor sent an invitation for this year's Plum Flower Party. They have invited you to attend." Qing Moyan tried to decline, stating, "There are many cases. . . I won't be able to go." But his father insisted, reminding him, "You are not a child anymore. And the emperor is always concerned about your marriage. You can use this opportunity to get to know some high-ranking officials, and their daughters who qualify.
If you find someone, then get married quickly. That will be helpful to your career." Qing Moyan firmly refused, stating, "I told you before, I will not marry. . . before I find Mother." The Marquis dismissed this, saying, "Why are you looking for her? She is in the past already." Qing Moyan retorted, "But for me, there is no past." He then asked, "Father, do you know. . .
this five-color stone that mother left for me, where does it come from?" His father feigned ignorance, replying, "It's just a rock. What do you mean?" Qing Moyan understood his father's evasion, saying, "I understand. Even if you know, you wouldn't tell me. Right? But I will use my ability to find out." He made it clear he would not marry until he found his mother.
After overhearing Qing Moyan's conversation with his father, Ru Xiaolan approached Chang Hen privately to inquire about Qing Moyan's mother and the poison in his body. Chang Hen, surprised by Ru Xiaolan's sudden attentiveness, asked, "Tell me. What do you want to know?" Ru Xiaolan, admitting she was "so obvious," then asked, "Chang Hen, I just want to ask. . . about Qing Moyan's mother. I'm just curious. Did she leave home? Or did she. . . die already?
Why don't I see his mother every time His Lordship comes?" Chang Hen reacted with alarm, asking, "Who told you? Why do you want to know this?" and sternly warned her, "Enough. Don't talk nonsense. . . for something that is not true. And whatever Sir doesn't want to talk about, you can't ask. Or. . . you will be removed from Dali Temple."
Ru Xiaolan, though promising not to ask more, then inquired about Qing Moyan's poison, "But can you tell me. . . how did Mr. Qing get poisoned like that? And. . . will he die soon?" Chang Hen explained, "The poison in his body is very complicated, what's worse, it's very difficult to cure." Ru Xiaolan found this "awful" and mused to herself, "This is really weird. Why do they make Qing Moyan's mother so mysterious? Is it possible. .
." Later, while walking down the street, Ru Xiaolan accidentally kicked a straw mat, muttering, "Who is that? Really outrageous. Do you have no manners? What if someone really trips up?" She then noticed a peculiar smell, and to her horror, discovered the body of Mr. Nian, who had been dead for several days. Qing Moyan harbored strong suspicions about Mr. Nian's death.
Examining the body, he noted, "Mr. Nian was strangled from behind," and observed that "The killer is a head shorter than Mr. Nian." He also found, "The ring is still there. The killer didn't plan to steal. Then, what exactly was the intention of this killer?" He dispatched Xuan Yu, instructing him to "Go to the city and check if anyone saw Mr. Nian around the crime scene. And. . .
if anyone has recently interacted with Mr. Nian, You also need to check them carefully." Xuan Yu agreed, then reported on Ru Xiaolan, saying, "Miss Ru doesn't look good. She hasn't eaten anything since she came back. But no wonder, anyone who witnessed such a scene would have no appetite." Qing Moyan showed concern when he saw Ru Xiaolan unable to eat. He urged her to eat, but she declined, "No thank you, I have no appetite."
He insisted, "Come here. I won't allow my pet to starve." Ru Xiaolan, feeling his grip, complained, "It hurts! Pets will also have bad days. If you force me to eat again, I'll report you for animal abuse." Qing Moyan challenged her, "Just report it. But don't forget, you're at Dali Temple now. Whatever you want to report, you can tell me anytime." Ru Xiaolan argued, "It's not your business that I don't eat."
Qing Moyan responded, "Of course, it's my business. If you are starved, and you get sick and something happens, then who will help cure my poison?" Ru Xiaolan, realizing his true motive, said, "I knew that you were selfish." Qing Moyan then called Xuan Yu to prepare new food, but Ru Xiaolan declared, "I won't eat! I said I didn't want to eat. I won't eat! Whatever you prepare, I won't eat. If I eat your food, I'm a pig."
Qing Moyan then surprised her with a table laden with fish. Ru Xiaolan's eyes lit up, "Wow, lots of fish." Qing Moyan remarked, "Didn't you say, whatever I prepare, you won't eat." Ru Xiaolan, changing her tune, replied, "I think what you said is right. You said that if I get sick, who will rid you of your poison? So I should at least eat a little." She then happily ate, finding the fish "delicious."
Qing Moyan then advised her, "From now on, don't go anywhere alone. It's very dangerous." Ru Xiaolan affirmed, "I know." Xuan Yu announced, "Sir, the crown prince is on his way here." The Crown Prince arrived to visit Ru Xiaolan, explaining to Qing Moyan, "This time, I came to meet Miss Ru. Miss Ru sacrificed herself to save me. This is a gift to Miss Ru to thank her for saving me." Ru Xiaolan accepted, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness.
I hope that the crown prince will live a long life." The Crown Prince then requested, "There is something I want to talk about with Miss Ru privately." During their private conversation, the Crown Prince said, "I heard that yesterday, you found Mr. Nian's body." Ru Xiaolan asked if he was there to follow the case progress, but he replied, "No. I came to see how you were feeling.
A young girl saw something like that, you must have been scared, right? I'll send someone to deliver some ginseng to you later. You can drink it. Ginseng can calm the mind and heart, throw away evil energy." Ru Xiaolan expressed gratitude, "Okay. Your Highness is very kind." She was touched by his attentiveness, telling him, "But I didn't expect that Your Highness would be so attentive to ordinary people like me."
He responded, "That's because you still don't know me." Ru Xiaolan, however, felt strongly, "But my feelings can't be wrong. If you lived where I came from, you would definitely be popular. A warm man." She elaborated, "That is, when you interact with people, you make them feel comfortable." From a distance, Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu observed them. Xuan Yu pointed out, "Sir, look. Things like sending awards, isn't that the servant's duty?
He even came to deliver it himself. He also takes Miss Ru to have a private conversation. In my opinion, their relationship is unusual." He continued, "Look! He is smiling. Usually, his face looks like a 'dead person's.' Look at his happy smile. Miss Ru, she's really charming." Qing Moyan, clearly unhappy, scoffed, "Such a dumb girl, what charm can she have?" Xuan Yu, noticing Qing Moyan's sour mood, subtly remarked, "It smells sour."
The Crown Prince extended an invitation to the Plum Flower Party. He said, "Tomorrow, Princess Liu Yang will hold the Plum Flower Party in the palace. Miss Ru can attend it with Mr. Qing." Ru Xiaolan eagerly accepted, saying "Of course," but Qing Moyan quickly interjected with "No." He then formally declined, "Thank you for the invitation. But Dali Temple has many cases to be resolved. I'm afraid I can't attend the Plum Flower Party tomorrow.
I beg Your Highness to forgive us." The Crown Prince acknowledged his workload but then suggested, "Just let Miss Ru come then. I will take good care of her." Ru Xiaolan, excited, asked Qing Moyan, "Can I attend?" He questioned her, "Don't you have a lot to do tomorrow?" She countered, "Chang Hen said I had three days off." The Crown Prince then affirmed, "Then, tomorrow, I will send people to pick up Miss Ru."
After Qing Moyan left, Ru Xiaolan, perplexed by his cold demeanor, asked Xuan Yu, "About that party, do you think I can attend?" Xuan Yu slyly hinted, "Don't you smell something sour?" Ru Xiaolan, still oblivious, asked, "Sour?" but then hurried to catch up with Qing Moyan. Despite his earlier refusal, Qing Moyan attended the Plum Flower Party. Ru Xiaolan confronted him, asking, "Didn't you say you wouldn't come? Why did you come?"
He claimed, "I came here to watch you so you won't make trouble." At the Plum Flower Party, Princess Liu Yang was overjoyed to see Qing Moyan and immediately pulled him aside, declaring, "Brother Moyan, I knew you would come. Come and follow me. For today's party, I specially prepared a lot of food." She then tried to dismiss Ru Xiaolan, saying, "Sorry, all the seats are taken inside. I have prepared another room over there.
You can go there and have some snacks." Qing Moyan intervened, stating, "Your Highness the Princess, she came with me." Ru Xiaolan, focused on food, asked if the food there was delicious, and Princess Liu Yang confirmed it was royal food. Ru Xiaolan, hungry, quickly left to find it. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince sought out Ru Xiaolan and offered her a special Plum Flower cake, even peeling fruit for her, and had her sit by his side.
When Princess Liu Yang found them, she was annoyed and again tried to send Ru Xiaolan to another room, but the Crown Prince stated, "Miss Ru can't go to that room. She is my guest." During the banquet, Princess Liu Yang proposed a poem contest, explaining, "Today is a rare Plum Flower Party. Gathering together, it's boring if we just eat and drink. I propose. . . what if we play in a single-person poem contest?"
After reciting her own poem, she pointedly chose Ru Xiaolan to continue. Ru Xiaolan initially demurred, "Me? I can't." Princess Liu Yang pressed her, saying, "Miss Ru, you are too modest. . . Please recite a poem for everyone." Seeing Ru Xiaolan hesitate, she added, "Could it be, Miss Ru is not being modest? It's that you really can't recite poems." Unexpectedly, Ru Xiaolan confidently declared, "I will not disappoint everyone here.
I will show my piece," and recited a beautiful poem, "Clear water reflects the autumn moon. Picking white flowers in south lake. The fresh lotus wants to express something. It bothers the boat keeper." The guests lauded her, calling it "Nice" and "really a good one." Ru Xiaolan mentally thanked the original poet, "Brother Li Bai, I borrowed your work once." The Crown Prince was also impressed, saying, "Miss Ru's poem is amazing. . . I want to toast you."
Seeing her plan to embarrass Ru Xiaolan backfire, Princess Liu Yang deliberately "accidentally" spilled wine on Ru Xiaolan's dress while offering a toast, then offered to take her to change clothes. Ru Xiaolan tried to dismiss it, saying, "It's okay. It's okay that my clothes are wet." But Princess Liu Yang revealed her true intention, asserting, "Do you think I really care about your clothes being dirty or not?" and led her away, presumably to issue a warning.
Episode 6 Recap
Princess Liu Yang led Ru Xiaolan away, pretending to be concerned about her dirty clothes. Ru Xiaolan initially thought Princess Liu Yang was being genuinely caring, but the Princess then ordered her guards to seize Ru Xiaolan. Princess Liu Yang cruelly remarked that Ru Xiaolan, an orphan, dared to attend the party and sit next to the Crown Prince.
She warned Ru Xiaolan not to think that the Crown Prince and Qing Moyan truly liked her, asserting that they only pitied her. Ru Xiaolan boldly asked if the Princess was jealous. Enraged, Princess Liu Yang smeared Ru Xiaolan’s face with makeup, telling her to realize her rightful place. As the guards tried to drag Ru Xiaolan away, Qing Moyan and the Crown Prince arrived after hearing news of the conflict.
Upon seeing Qing Moyan, Princess Liu Yang immediately changed her demeanor and falsely accused Ru Xiaolan of being a troublemaker. Qing Moyan swiftly intervened, apologizing to Princess Liu Yang on Ru Xiaolan's behalf, and then took Ru Xiaolan away, further infuriating the Princess. Ru Xiaolan, thinking Qing Moyan didn't believe her, tried to explain that Princess Liu Yang had instigated the confrontation. However, Qing Moyan assured her he understood the situation.
He explained that since Princess Liu Yang and the Crown Prince were both born to the Noble Consort, they held immense power. He advised Ru Xiaolan not to offend Princess Liu Yang, warning that such an offense could be seen as disrespecting the entire imperial family. Hearing this, Ru Xiaolan grew fearful and promised to stay away from the Princess in the future. Qing Moyan then attentively wiped the grime from Ru Xiaolan's face, his thoughtfulness making her heart race.
Meanwhile, Princess Liu Yang, still fuming over Ru Xiaolan and feeling she was stealing Qing Moyan's attention, resolved to report Ru Xiaolan to the Emperor. The Crown Prince appeared and told his sister that Ru Xiaolan was very important to him, asking her to let the matter rest. Later, while tidying her belongings, Ru Xiaolan discovered her five-color stone was missing. Realizing she must have dropped it during the altercation, she quickly ran back to search for it.
Unbeknownst to her, Princess Liu Yang had already found the stone. Soon after, Princess Liu Yang was seen with glowing yellow eyes, controlled by a jade face doll. Ru Xiaolan, still searching outside, noticed Princess Liu Yang's strange gaze and suspected she was under hypnotic magic. Princess Liu Yang attacked Ru Xiaolan, who was no match for her. Fortunately, Qing Moyan arrived just in time. He rescued Ru Xiaolan but was stabbed by Princess Liu Yang in the process.
The Crown Prince then arrived and stopped Qing Moyan from retaliating, giving Ru Xiaolan the opportunity to use her magic to momentarily immobilize Princess Liu Yang. Ru Xiaolan visited the injured Qing Moyan, feeling guilty. Qing Moyan pulled her hand, asking her to stay by his side. Later that night, Xuan Yu came to check on Qing Moyan and found Ru Xiaolan still vigilantly watching over him, teasing her about a young girl staying up so late with a man.
He mentioned that while Qing Moyan's wound was not severe, the underlying Gu poison in his body was formidable. While Qing Moyan was restless and calling her name in his sleep, holding her close, Ru Xiaolan attempted to steal his five-color stone and seal its power. The attempt backfired, transforming her back into a cat. Upon waking, Qing Moyan discovered Ru Xiaolan as a cat.
Knowing she needed a five-color stone to return to human form, he lent her his own. Recalling that she had seen her five-color stone on Princess Liu Yang, Ru Xiaolan decided she needed to retrieve it and planned to ask the Crown Prince for help to enter the palace. Meanwhile, Qing Moyan, along with Xuan Yu, privately searched for a five-color stone for Ru Xiaolan. During their search, an unexpected incident caused them to embrace, which Ru Xiaolan witnessed.
This led her to believe they had a secret romantic relationship, and she told Chang Hen about her suspicions, only to be chastised for gossiping. The Crown Prince successfully retrieved Ru Xiaolan's five-color stone from Princess Liu Yang and returned it to her. Qing Moyan observed the Crown Prince and Ru Xiaolan chatting, and his jealousy flared up once more. Qing Moyan later confided in the Crown Prince that he suspected Princess Liu Yang had been manipulated.
Ru Xiaolan, recalling the earlier events, confirmed that Princess Liu Yang was indeed controlled by a jade face doll. Together, they visited Princess Liu Yang, only to find that she had no memory of the incident. When pressed, Princess Liu Yang could not remember anything and nearly started another argument with Ru Xiaolan. Ru Xiaolan continued to feel that Princess Liu Yang’s demeanor was suspicious, as if she were deliberately concealing information about the jade face doll.
She discussed her suspicions with Qing Moyan, recounting her experience of seeing the doll in a shop, and they decided to investigate the doll shop together. Later, Ru Xiaolan brought some food to Qing Moyan, still harboring suspicions about his relationship with Xuan Yu and confusing him with her odd behavior.
Episode 7 Recap
Ru Xiaolan visited Qing Moyan with freshly prepared fish, intending to offer her "understanding" and support for his relationship with Xuan Yu. She even suggested the food might help him "solve problems at night." Annoyed by her indirectness, Qing Moyan pressed her for clarity. Ru Xiaolan, misunderstanding his frustration, awkwardly declared her support, adding that she would "pray for you and Xuan Yu, 'Until death separates you.' 'Get a baby soon.' 'Two in a year.'
" This angered Qing Moyan, who sternly declared, "I'm not interested in men, I only like women." As he emphasized his point, momentarily holding Ru Xiaolan's face, Xuan Yu walked in and once again misinterpreted the situation, concluding that Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan were "making an appointment to get married." Qing Moyan quickly dismissed Xuan Yu, ordering him to only discuss work matters in that place. After the encounter, Ru Xiaolan’s heart raced, flustered by Qing Moyan's proximity.
She then realized he actually liked women and felt she had misunderstood him. She quickly reminded herself to stay focused on her primary goal: collecting the five-color stones to return home to her grandpa. Later, Qing Moyan took Ru Xiaolan to the Li Doll Shop to investigate the jade face doll. The shop owner, Master Li, confirmed he had sold the doll a few days prior to a "charming woman" from an "extraordinary family."
Qing Moyan suspected this was Princess Liu Yang, despite her earlier denials. Master Li also recalled that about ten days ago, a Mr. Nian had visited the shop, intending to buy a toy for his daughter. Growing increasingly fearful, Princess Liu Yang ordered her servant, Min'er, to discreetly dispose of the jade face doll. As Min'er was discarding the doll, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared and seized her. Meanwhile, Ru Xiaolan was searching for peachwood to carve something.
Qing Moyan found her and, despite her concern for his injuries, questioned her purpose. Ru Xiaolan insisted it was a secret, stating that a surprise loses its meaning if revealed too soon. She then considered asking the Crown Prince for wood, but Qing Moyan warned her against touching his precious gift. Ru Xiaolan decided to check the doll shop again for wood she had noticed in their backyard.
Just then, Xuan Yu rushed in with urgent news: a palace servant's body had been discovered in an alley. The Crown Prince, upon learning of Min'er's death, confronted Princess Liu Yang, knowing her tendency to lie. He pressed her about the jade face doll. Terrified, Princess Liu Yang confessed that she had forcibly taken the doll from the shop and then asked Min'er to dispose of it, regretting the outcome and fearing she was cursed.
The Crown Prince then headed to the doll shop. Meanwhile, at the Dali Temple, Xuan Yu informed Qing Moyan that Mr. Nian's wife had not had children, and Mr. Nian himself had no children, contrary to what Master Li had claimed about him buying a toy for his daughter. Recalling Ru Xiaolan's intention to visit the doll shop for peachwood, Qing Moyan realized she might be in danger and immediately rushed out, declaring, "Ru Xiaolan is in danger."
At the doll shop, Ru Xiaolan felt an eerie atmosphere. She discovered the jade face doll, supposedly sold, and inside it, a five-color stone. Realizing the doll's connection to Princess Liu Yang and the ongoing incidents, she tried to leave to inform Qing Moyan, but Master Li blocked her escape. He seemed to have gone mad, clutching the doll and calling it "Xiao Bao," his daughter. He accused Ru Xiaolan of trying to steal his daughter and attacked her.
Qing Moyan arrived just in time, stopping Master Li from harming Ru Xiaolan. Qing Moyan accused Li Tianfu of murdering Mr. Nian and Min'er. When Xuan Yu arrived, Qing Moyan ordered him to take Li Tianfu away. However, the jade face doll on the floor began to glow, attempting to control Xuan Yu. Qing Moyan quickly intervened, breaking the doll's hold.
He then explained that ten years prior, Master Li's daughter died in a fire, and he had created the doll as a substitute, hypnotizing people. Qing Moyan further explained that Master Li's obsession stemmed from his daughter's death. Ru Xiaolan added that Master Li's intense feelings for his daughter had infused into the five-color stone, giving it the power to control others.
When his thoughts deviated and evil thoughts entered the stone, it could control people, which explained why Princess Liu Yang and Xuan Yu had been affected. Taking on her duties as a Yin Yang master, Ru Xiaolan performed a ritual, chanting to "drive away demons, get rid of spirits" and "eliminate all thoughts and feelings in objects," thereby sealing the five-color stone's power. After sealing it, Ru Xiaolan noticed her senses of smell and hearing had become much sharper.
She could identify various herbs by scent and was concerned she was becoming more like a cat. Qing Moyan remarked that Ru Xiaolan was "a monster" for her newly enhanced senses. They discussed that her improved five senses were a result of the five-color stone's power. Ru Xiaolan expressed her fear that accumulating all five stones might prevent her from returning home and turn her into a "cat monster."
Qing Moyan playfully responded that it would be "good then," as she could "stay here." Misinterpreting his words, Ru Xiaolan thought he only wanted her to stay to help cure his poison, insisting she would eventually return home. Shortly after, a palace messenger arrived, confirming Ru Xiaolan's earlier premonition that the Emperor had summoned Qing Moyan. To Ru Xiaolan's surprise, Qing Moyan told her she was summoned as well.
She worried the Emperor might perceive her as a "devil" and seek to harm her, despite Qing Moyan's reassurance. He sternly reminded her to mind her manners when meeting the Emperor. Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan arrived before the Emperor, where Ru Xiaolan greeted His Majesty. She was relieved to learn she was summoned for her past service in saving the Crown Prince rather than a perceived mistake.
Ru Xiaolan, with her usual frankness, said the Emperor didn't need to be "overburdened" for her "nothing" act. Qing Moyan quickly apologized for her lack of palace manners, but the Emperor was delighted by her "frank" and "special character," noting the Crown Prince often spoke of her. Offering a reward, the Emperor asked Ru Xiaolan what she desired. To his surprise, instead of jewels or silks, she requested peachwood, specifically mentioning "black" wood.
The Emperor, amused by her unique request, agreed and sent her to Xiangfeng Attic to choose any wood she liked. After Ru Xiaolan left, the Emperor commented to Qing Moyan that it was unusual for the Dali Temple chief to show such "feelings for a woman," hinting that he noticed Qing Moyan's concern for Ru Xiaolan. Qing Moyan, however, dismissed it as merely worrying about her lack of manners. Ru Xiaolan, meanwhile, found the abundance of peachwood at Xiangfeng Attic satisfactory.
Episode 8 Recap
Ru Xiaolan was walking when she saw a young boy attempting to hang himself. She quickly intervened, preventing his suicide and urging him not to take his own life. The boy, who introduced himself as Yu Jingqi, expressed his gratitude for her rescue. He admitted he had been contemplating suicide for a long time and had finally mustered the courage. When Ru Xiaolan asked why, he confessed that life in the palace was difficult, and he felt he lacked freedom.
Ru Xiaolan introduced herself as a medical officer from Dali Temple. Soon after, guards appeared, searching for the boy. Ru Xiaolan tried to intervene, but the guards addressed the boy as "Young Prince," revealing his royal identity. Ru Xiaolan, surprised, formally greeted him. The Young Prince asked her to keep his suicide attempt a secret, then explained his plight. His mother died giving birth to him, and his father died in battle.
Although the Emperor kept him in the palace because of his royal bloodline, everyone despised his existence and wished he would disappear. He felt constantly restricted, with everyone telling him not to cause trouble or reveal himself, and to live peacefully and quietly. He realized the guards were not worried about him, but rather feared he would create a negative impact on the royal family.
Ru Xiaolan consoled him, saying he had done nothing wrong and should not grieve over others' opinions. The Young Prince felt trapped, comparing himself to a bird in a cage that thinks flying is a disease. Ru Xiaolan sympathized deeply and promised to invite him to fly a kite the next day. He was hesitant, fearing the Emperor's anger, but Ru Xiaolan assured him that she would take responsibility and that Qing Moyan would help her explain.
When Qing Moyan arrived, he immediately apologized to the Young Prince, assuming Ru Xiaolan had caused trouble. However, the Young Prince interceded, praising Ru Xiaolan for her help and reminding her of their kite-flying promise. As they left, Qing Moyan questioned Ru Xiaolan about her agreement with the Young Prince. She confirmed her promise to fly a kite with him, which angered Qing Moyan.
He chastised her for constantly interacting with royal family members and reminded her that he had not given her permission. He declared her his pet, asserting that she needed his permission for everything she did and everywhere she went. Ru Xiaolan complained about his possessiveness, feeling he wouldn't allow her to have any friends.
Qing Moyan retorted, asking if having him wasn't enough, and warned her that getting involved with the royal family was dangerous and could lead to her death. He advised her to stay by his side so he could protect her. Despite Qing Moyan's warnings, Ru Xiaolan was determined to fulfill her promise.
Late that night, she stayed up to make kites for the Young Prince, explaining that her grandfather taught her that every encounter is fate, and one should act on their thoughts to avoid regret. As she worked, she presented Qing Moyan with a peach wood charm she had crafted, meant to ward off bad luck, despite having injured her hand in the process. She insisted he wear it, saying it would protect him in her place.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Du received a message, noting the Imperial Consort's growing anxiety and continuous requests for ghost grass. Mrs. Du, who was in league with the Imperial Consort, intended to use five-color stones to create an eternity pill for her, believing that once she obtained the stones, she would no longer need to deal with the consort.
She suspected that a previous servant, Zhi'er, had left a five-color stone at Dali Temple and ordered her subordinates to retrieve it, as a single stone would not suffice for the eternity pill. She also ordered them to bring her a pretty young girl. In another part of the palace, the Imperial Consort expressed concern for the Crown Prince's health, noting that only one root of ghost grass remained.
She worried the supply wouldn't be enough if the Crown Prince's condition worsened. Frustrated by Mrs. Du's lack of response, the Imperial Consort worried Mrs. Du might be breaking their agreement and ordered a final warning to be sent, emphasizing the matter of the Crown Prince's life.
A subordinate of the Crown Prince overheard this conversation, realizing that Mrs. Du supplied the ghost grass and had an agreement with the Imperial Consort, suggesting she knew something about the Crown Prince's illness. He then dispatched someone to Qingshui Village, where Mrs. Du resided, to investigate. The next day, Ru Xiaolan and the Young Prince successfully flew the kite she had made, delighting him immensely.
Even Qing Moyan appeared, and Ru Xiaolan playfully asked if he was upset for not being invited. She shared a personal anecdote about being an orphan and mocked for her grandfather being a demon hunter, showing her empathy for the Young Prince's feelings of isolation. The Young Prince, pleased with the day, gave the kite to Ru Xiaolan and they promised to play together again before he returned to the palace.
Qing Moyan noted the Young Prince's fondness for Ru Xiaolan, to which she proudly agreed. Later, Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan went shopping. Ru Xiaolan, captivated by a doll that she said resembled Qing Moyan, asked him to buy it. He found the doll ugly but bought it anyway after she insisted. She then enthusiastically requested grilled fish, her favorite, having him buy her three portions.
As she ate, some fish got on her face, and Qing Moyan gently wiped it away, leading to a moment of shared laughter. Ru Xiaolan's feline instincts emerged when a small dog startled her, causing her to instinctively jump into Qing Moyan's arms. He chided her for being so scared of a dog, to which she admitted her genuine fear. That night, Ru Xiaolan, unable to sleep, was surprised when Qing Moyan gave her the doll she had admired earlier.
She teased him, calling him romantic, but he dismissively stated it was merely a toy for his pet. As a shooting star streaked across the sky, Ru Xiaolan excitedly urged Qing Moyan to make a wish, explaining that in her world, wishes made upon a shooting star come true. He declined, stating he had no wish. She began to share her wish—to be happy with him every day—but Qing Moyan abruptly turned and left without listening.
Later, Ru Xiaolan slept soundly, clutching the doll Qing Moyan had given her, while in his own room, Qing Moyan gazed at the wooden charm she had made for him, a faint smile on his face, muttering that she, who couldn't even protect herself, wanted to protect him. In the middle of the night, Qing Moyan's poison suddenly flared up. Ru Xiaolan, sensing his distress, immediately called for help.
Ignoring Chang Hen's warning that approaching Qing Moyan was dangerous, Ru Xiaolan insisted that she was the only one who could save him. She embraced him, and in a desperate attempt to heal him, Qing Moyan kissed her, absorbing her essence. His condition stabilized, but Ru Xiaolan transformed back into her cat form. Chang Hen and Xuan Yu, witnessing the transformation, realized Ru Xiaolan was the perfumed cat.
Chang Hen explained to Qing Moyan that he had recovered by absorbing Ru Xiaolan's life essence. However, he warned that Ru Xiaolan's essence was finite, and if it were to be completely depleted by repeated use to save him, her life would end. Xuan Yu later observed that Ru Xiaolan, now a cat, had a severely decreasing body temperature due to the loss of energy, and covered her with a blanket.
Episode 9 Recap
After Ru Xiaolan saved Qing Moyan by sacrificing her essence, causing her to transform back into a cat, everyone realized her true identity. The following day, she reverted to human form, but remained unconscious and weak. Chang Hen reported that Miss Ru's breath was stable and her strength was gradually returning, which explained her transformation. However, her recovery timeline was uncertain, potentially taking anywhere from a day to years to fully regain consciousness.
While in her coma, Ru Xiaolan murmured Qing Moyan's name, expressing her fear of him dying. Observing her, Qing Moyan silently acknowledged her concern, lamenting that he only brought her harm when she was near him. Soon after, Qing Moyan's venom flared up, causing him intense pain. Xuan Yu and Chang Hen rushed to his side, offering medicine, but it seemed insufficient.
Desperate, Chang Hen suggested waking Ru Xiaolan to help, but Qing Moyan adamantly refused, declaring he would rather die than hurt her further. He then instructed Xuan Yu to take him away. To protect Ru Xiaolan from the dangers associated with his condition, Qing Moyan ordered Chang Hen to inform her that she must leave Dali Temple within two days of waking, with a new residence prepared by Xuan Yu.
Upon hearing this, Ru Xiaolan was heartbroken and confronted Qing Moyan, demanding an explanation. He coldly stated she was unsuitable for Dali Temple, citing the daily dangers, cruelty, and nefarious characters, claiming such potential threats were beyond a young girl like her. Ru Xiaolan argued that she was perfectly capable as a medical officer and reminded him that he once needed her to cure his poison.
Qing Moyan retorted that he no longer needed her, falsely claiming to have found another way to cure his venom. Hurt, Ru Xiaolan questioned her worth to him, asking if she was merely to be discarded when no longer useful. She defiantly declared she would not leave. After she stormed off, Qing Moyan instructed Xuan Yu to take her to the prepared house the following day.
Alone, Ru Xiaolan muttered to herself, calling Qing Moyan ugly and reiterating her refusal to depart. When Ru Xiaolan still resisted leaving, Qing Moyan personally confronted her, reiterating his demand that she depart. When she asked if he would still force her away even though she had only him, he coldly stated that Xuan Yu would arrange her new residence and reminded her that she was a human, not a pet.
Feeling deeply used, Ru Xiaolan then demanded the five-color stone that Qing Moyan had previously promised her, stating she would not leave until she received it. After he relented and handed over the stone, he asked if she would leave now. The next day, Qing Moyan awoke to find that Ru Xiaolan had indeed gone, leaving him with a profound sense of loss.
Xuan Yu accompanied Ru Xiaolan to her new residence, asking if the room was satisfactory and presenting her with a large bag of money for her expenses, offering more if needed. Though initially defiant, Ru Xiaolan accepted the money after realizing it could buy many fish, and Xuan Yu departed. Reflecting on her inability to return to Dali Temple, Ru Xiaolan decided to focus on her immediate needs.
While wandering, she learned from Sis Hong Ling about Mrs. Du of Qingshui village, a wealthy widow who annually selected ten adopted daughters on her birthday from Qian Lefang, requiring them to possess superior appearance and talent. Intrigued, Ru Xiaolan decided to try her luck, despite the high standards. She then noticed a peculiar mark on the carriage drivers transporting the women to Mrs. Du's, which piqued her suspicion.
Meanwhile, Xuan Yu reported to Qing Moyan that Ru Xiaolan was settled, though she appeared disappointed. Qing Moyan asked about the money and even inquired about her favorite dried fish, revealing his deep concern despite his earlier actions. Xuan Yu, seeing Qing Moyan's true feelings, suggested he visit her, but Qing Moyan feigned disinterest, claiming to be too busy at Dali Temple.
However, when Xuan Yu then mentioned that he had reluctantly disclosed Ru Xiaolan's new address to the Crown Prince, Qing Moyan immediately dropped his pretense of being busy and rushed off. The Crown Prince arrived at Ru Xiaolan's new residence with many delicacies, explaining that he had heard of her move. Ru Xiaolan, delighted, praised his thoughtfulness and offered to help him if needed.
The Crown Prince then requested her to teach him how to draw good luck spells, as he knew she was skilled in Yin and Yang. Qing Moyan, having followed Xuan Yu's tip, arrived and overheard snippets of their conversation, misinterpreting their words about "doing it like this" as something inappropriate. Enraged and jealous, he burst into the room, only to find them innocently discussing talismans.
Embarrassed, Qing Moyan apologized for his impudence, and the Crown Prince, accepting his apology, concluded the "lucky charm class," promising to bring more food and continue his lessons next time, to which Ru Xiaolan happily agreed. After the Crown Prince left, Qing Moyan chastised Ru Xiaolan for allowing a man into her room. She retorted that the Crown Prince was not just any man, but he was also a man, asking why he himself was in her room.
Qing Moyan defended himself by saying he wouldn't be there if she didn't always cause trouble. He continued to criticize her for eating so much, but Ru Xiaolan enthusiastically praised the Crown Prince's caring nature and his pastries, pointedly asking Qing Moyan what he had done for her. Seeing her apparent fondness for the Crown Prince, Qing Moyan's jealousy flared.
Ru Xiaolan, however, sharply reminded him that since he had already kicked her out, it shouldn't matter if she liked the Crown Prince. Angered by her response, Qing Moyan declared that from that day forward, he would no longer care for her, no matter what happened, and stormed out. Chang Hen and Xuan Yu diligently searched through medical texts to find a cure for Qing Moyan's venom.
Xuan Yu, distracted, initially found an erotic book, which Chang Hen quickly corrected him about. Finally, Chang Hen located a crucial herbal remedies book, which revealed that Qing Moyan's negative yin poison required "ghost grass," an extremely rare and potent herb found deep in uninhabited mountains. This ghost grass, through the principle of "yin controlling yin," could eliminate the toxins. Qing Moyan was hopeful that this herb could cure him.
Xuan Yu offered to seek information from nomads known for their expertise in medicine and poisons, and Chang Hen also volunteered to assist in the search. Qing Moyan then gave Chang Hen a specific instruction. Later, Ru Xiaolan, suffering from a stomachache after her previous night's feast, was surprised by a visit from Chang Hen. He presented her with herbal porridge, which she initially thanked him for, also complaining about Qing Moyan's seemingly baseless scolding.
Chang Hen clarified that the porridge was from Qing Moyan, who was worried she might get sick from eating too much. Ru Xiaolan was incredulous, questioning why he would worry about her if he wanted her to leave. Chang Hen advised her not to judge the situation solely based on her own thoughts, but to consider Qing Moyan's perspective, hinting that "words that cannot be said are actually the sincerest feelings."
After Chang Hen left, Ru Xiaolan pondered his words, wondering what Qing Moyan truly thought and if he had unspoken difficulties. She tried to recall previous events, specifically remembering their kiss before her collapse, and playfully wondered if Qing Moyan was merely embarrassed by it. Determined to uncover his true reasons for sending her away, Ru Xiaolan decided she needed to get back into Dali Temple to investigate.
Feeling restless, Ru Xiaolan invited the Crown Prince for a drink, ordering a lavish feast and declaring she would pay for everything. She explained her plan to spend all her money so she could return to Dali Temple and confront Qing Moyan about why he made her leave. The Crown Prince noted her clear affection for Qing Moyan, which seemed to disappoint him.
He then confessed his own feelings, revealing that he had been thinking of her since they first met and wanted her to enter the palace and remain by his side. Recognizing her drunken state, he didn't demand an immediate answer, but hoped she would remember his sincere words once sober. He then left her, still trying to get him to drink more. Later that night, Qing Moyan was attacked by a mysterious black-clad figure.
He managed to evade the assailant, who asked about "him" and blood. Xuan Yu arrived shortly after, confirming Qing Moyan was unharmed but reported that another bodyguard had been attacked. Before Xuan Yu could finish, a heavily intoxicated Ru Xiaolan stumbled into the courtyard, loudly calling for Qing Moyan and asking for more money, claiming she had spent all the funds Xuan Yu gave her on food, specifically "one chicken, three ducks, and eight fish." Despite her denial of being drunk, her erratic behavior was clear. As Qing Moyan struggled with his conflicted emotions and tried to respond, Ru Xiaolan suddenly vomited all over him.
Episode 10 Recap
After mysterious assassins attacked Qing Moyan, leaving behind a distinctive dark weapon, he instructed Xuan Yu to investigate the clue. Xuan Yu reported that the guards outside were injured by a dart tipped with Ma Fei San, a substance used to induce unconsciousness. Qing Moyan then tasked Xuan Yu with inquiring at local drug stores about recent purchases of this substance. Xuan Yu's search for Ma Fei San proved fruitless, as the medicine was rarely stocked.
However, the apothecary unexpectedly informed him that Ghost Grass had been sighted in Qingshui Village, a piece of news that greatly excited Xuan Yu. Shortly after Xuan Yu departed, the apothecary shed his disguise, revealing himself to be an assassin whose true purpose was to lure Qing Moyan to Qingshui Village. Qing Moyan, along with Xuan Yu and Chang Hen, discussed the journey to Qingshui Village to find the Ghost Grass.
They decided to keep Ru Xiaolan in the dark about their plans, with Chang Hen explicitly agreeing, "If she knows, she will screw it up." Ru Xiaolan, however, overheard parts of their conversation from a distance, understanding only that they were planning a trip to Qingshui Village and intended to conceal it from her. She pondered, "What exactly are they hiding from me?"
As Qing Moyan and his entourage prepared to depart, Ru Xiaolan stubbornly clung to the carriage, insisting that he take her along. Qing Moyan tried to send her home, stating it was "none of your business" and ordering Xuan Yu to take her away, but Ru Xiaolan stood her ground, declaring, "I want to go with you guys."
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince learned of Qing Moyan's destination and found it too coincidental, given that Mrs. Du was also in Qingshui Village. Suspecting a deliberate arrangement, he decided to accompany Qing Moyan. Noticing Qing Moyan's reluctance to include Ru Xiaolan, the Crown Prince actively invited her to travel with him, offering, "Miss Ru, how about coming with me to Qingshui Village?" He later assured her, "on this trip, let me take care of you," which stirred Qing Moyan's jealousy.
Princess Liu Yang, having heard of Qing Moyan's journey, secretly followed them. She was soon discovered by Ru Xiaolan. Liu Yang explained to Qing Moyan, "Brother Moyan, I heard you wanted to go to Qingshui Village. I couldn't sleep all night because I was worried. I'm worried that you'll get hurt." Qing Moyan tried to persuade her to return, emphasizing the danger of the journey. However, Liu Yang retorted, "Why can she go and I can't?"
before demanding to take the carriage meant for Ru Xiaolan, arguing, "why should a princess ride a horse while a servant takes the carriage?" Qing Moyan, given her noble status, ultimately had to allow her to join their expedition. Observing Qing Moyan and Princess Liu Yang engaged in pleasant conversation, Ru Xiaolan grew indignant. She pulled the Crown Prince aside, suggesting they set up tents together, reminiscing about doing "many fun things" like that "outside of school."
When they reached a body of water, Ru Xiaolan feigned fear, telling the Crown Prince she felt "a little afraid of water" and wanted to go back. The Crown Prince, understanding her aversion to water, offered to prepare something to help her "avoid water" and temporarily left. Qing Moyan, seeing Ru Xiaolan standing by the water, recognized her feline instincts taking over, signaling her desire to catch fish. He approached her, asking, "What are you doing here?
Don't you really consider yourself a cat?" He then skillfully used a spear to catch fish for her. Fascinated by his method, Ru Xiaolan asked for the spear, wanting to try it herself. During their playful struggle over the spear, Ru Xiaolan accidentally cut her hand. The Crown Prince, who had only briefly left to retrieve a kite for Ru Xiaolan, returned to witness her and Qing Moyan's interaction, causing him considerable disappointment.
Later, he tended to Ru Xiaolan's injury, applying medicine he said Qing Moyan had given him for her. Ru Xiaolan thanked him, noting he always appeared when she was in trouble, but the Crown Prince suggested he wasn't the one she should truly thank. He then advised her to rest while he arranged for fish to be grilled and guards for their camp.
The Crown Prince then confronted Qing Moyan, questioning his motives for seemingly pushing Ru Xiaolan towards him despite Qing Moyan's own feelings for her. Qing Moyan firmly denied any trickery, warning the Crown Prince, "If you dare to hurt Miss Ru, I will not let you get away with it."
As the group continued their journey, Xuan Yu described Qingshui Village as having winding mountains like a lion's profile, a secluded location known for its strange and rare plants, and a grim reputation for people not returning. The path ahead proved difficult, forcing them to abandon their horses and carriages to proceed on foot. Along the way, they encountered a woman being pursued by a man.
Without hesitation, Ru Xiaolan rushed to intervene, calling out to the others, "Why are you just standing here? Hurry up and help her!" Qing Moyan warned her not to act rashly, and just as she was about to be harmed, he intervened, saving her. He later admonished her for acting without considering her own safety, reminding her that he was the one who helped locate the hidden attacker. They took refuge in a nearby dwelling.
When the rescued woman regained consciousness, she introduced herself as Bing'er, a singer from Qiang Lefang. Ru Xiaolan, recalling that Mrs. Du adopted girls from Qiang Lefang, asked why Bing'er was in such a state. Bing'er revealed that the truth was far from comfortable; Mrs. Du "doesn't treat us like her adopted children" and begged Qing Moyan to save her and her sisters, implying their dire situation.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Du learned from her subordinate, Fu Quanshan, who had failed to capture Bing'er, that Qing Moyan and his group had arrived. Fu Quanshan specifically mentioned "an unusual girl" among them who could detect his location and "knows Yin and Yang." Mrs. Du, undeterred, declared that she would eradicate all of them, seize the five-color stone, and personally extract "the blood inside the girl's body."
The growing closeness between Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan did not go unnoticed, causing vexation for both the Crown Prince and Princess Liu Yang. Liu Yang openly complained to the Crown Prince about Ru Xiaolan always clinging to Qing Moyan, to which the Crown Prince agreed, calling Ru Xiaolan an "inferior servant who really doesn't know the rules." Xuan Yu returned with a wild rabbit, suggesting they wouldn't have to eat dry food that night.
Bing'er offered to clean and cook the rabbit. The Crown Prince mentioned seeing Qing Moyan with Ru Xiaolan, further fueling Liu Yang's displeasure. Qing Moyan investigated the dark weapon used by the men pursuing Bing'er, confirming it was identical to the one used by the assassins who attacked him at Dali Temple. He suspected Mrs. Du was manipulating events.
He shared his findings with Ru Xiaolan, explaining that the claims about the women's comfortable lives were a deception orchestrated by Mrs. Du. In a moment of deep vulnerability, Qing Moyan embraced Ru Xiaolan, confessing his fear, "Have you ever thought that. . . you are someone who will leave? If I really can't be with you. . . then what can I do?"
Ru Xiaolan, understanding that this was the underlying reason for his previous coldness, responded, "Is this the reason that. . . you asked me to leave?" They held each other in a tender embrace.
Episode 11 Recap
Princess Liu Yang arrived to find Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan in an embrace. Though they quickly separated, the sight displeased her. Feigning affection, Princess Liu Yang deliberately linked arms with Qing Moyan in front of Ru Xiaolan, provoking Ru Xiaolan's anger. Qing Moyan quickly excused himself for dinner, leaving the two women to argue. Princess Liu Yang confronted Ru Xiaolan about hugging Qing Moyan, to which Ru Xiaolan casually admitted it was "just a little hug."
Princess Liu Yang tried to assert her dominance and threatened to report Ru Xiaolan to the emperor, but Ru Xiaolan scoffed, questioning if the princess could even find her way back to the palace alone. Meanwhile, Bing'er remained hidden inside, being comforted by Chang Hen, who assured her that their ordeal would soon be resolved and her sisters saved. Later, Bing'er offered tea to everyone.
Qing Moyan, sensing something amiss, refrained from drinking, but Xuan Yu and the others, including the Crown Prince, fell unconscious after taking a sip. Qing Moyan directly questioned Bing'er's identity, asking if she knew martial arts. Bing'er denied it, and Xuan Yu, still somewhat conscious, defended her. With her deception exposed, Bing'er revealed her true identity as Mrs. Du, the poison master. She admitted that she had disguised herself as a victim to seize the five-color stones.
Mrs. Du demanded Qing Moyan hand over the five-color stone, threatening the lives of his companions, whom she had merely sedated with anesthetics. Qing Moyan demanded the antidote. A fierce battle ensued between Mrs. Du and Qing Moyan. Mrs. Du boasted about her invincible Yin Yang power, but her magic was no match for the peach wood talisman Ru Xiaolan had given Qing Moyan. Injured by its power, Mrs. Du was forced to flee.
As Mrs. Du escaped, Qing Moyan instructed Xuan Yu to care for the unconscious men, expressing concern that Ru Xiaolan might be in danger. After separating from the group, Princess Liu Yang became disoriented, realizing she was trapped in a seemingly endless forest. While she desperately searched for a way out, Mrs. Du's assassins appeared, knocking her unconscious and abducting her. Ru Xiaolan, searching for Princess Liu Yang, stumbled upon Bing'er.
Bing'er feigned vulnerability, telling Ru Xiaolan a man had attacked them and she had fled. Ru Xiaolan, finding Princess Liu Yang's hairpin, reassured Bing'er that Qing Moyan and the others were capable and suggested they search for the princess together. Ru Xiaolan noticed Bing'er's injured hand and, as she reached out, Bing'er took the opportunity to spray Ru Xiaolan with incapacitating incense, then captured her.
When Ru Xiaolan regained consciousness, she realized that Bing'er was Mrs. Du, who had disguised herself. Mrs. Du, still bearing a grudge against Ru Xiaolan for the peach wood talisman that had injured her, confiscated the five-color stone from Ru Xiaolan, stating her intention to use Ru Xiaolan's blood as a trigger with the stones to fulfill her desires. Ru Xiaolan fiercely demanded her stone back. Qing Moyan pursued Bing'er's trail and encountered one of Mrs. Du's assassins.
The assassin revealed that he and his men were ordinary bandits whom Mrs. Du had captured and controlled with poison, forcing them to collect young women's blood, five-color stones, and ghost grass to create her pills. He begged Qing Moyan to kill Mrs. Du, freeing them from her control, and disclosed the location of the captured women at Fuquanshan. Qing Moyan released the assassin and successfully rescued Princess Liu Yang.
Later, in the forest, Qing Moyan encountered Mrs. Du, who had taken on Ru Xiaolan's form. However, Qing Moyan quickly discerned the impostor by the lack of Ru Xiaolan's characteristic cat-like mannerisms. He stated that "that girl is not someone you can copy." Mrs. Du, her disguise exposed, returned to her true form and engaged Qing Moyan in battle. Despite her Yin Yang power, she was no match for Qing Moyan's abilities.
Mrs. Du then revealed that she had used Ru Xiaolan's blood for her disguise, threatening that if she could not return, Ru Xiaolan would surely die. Left with no choice, Qing Moyan was forced to release Mrs. Du and even surrendered his own five-color stone. In return, Mrs. Du divulged Ru Xiaolan's whereabouts. Unbeknownst to them, the Crown Prince had been observing this entire exchange from a hidden vantage point.
Ru Xiaolan was confined in a secret chamber, her blood continuously draining. Weak and fading, she repeatedly whispered Qing Moyan's name. Mrs. Du, having escaped with three five-color stones, reveled in her success in the wilderness. Her joy was short-lived, however, as the Crown Prince suddenly appeared, holding a sword to her. Mrs. Du, leveraging her connection to the Empress, revealed that the Crown Prince harbored a Gu poison in his body, which only ghost grass could cure.
She warned him that killing her would mean never knowing the poison's origin, forcing the Crown Prince to let her go. Ru Xiaolan's consciousness began to dissipate, but Qing Moyan arrived just in time, rescuing her and bringing her back to Mrs. Du's mansion. Chang Hen promptly attended to Ru Xiaolan, confirming that despite significant blood loss, the bleeding had stopped, and she would regain consciousness in a few days.
She also reported that the other captive women had been saved and sent home, while Xuan Yu confirmed that Princess Liu Yang, only frightened, had been escorted back. Qing Moyan learned that Chang Hen had searched the entire mansion but found no trace of the ghost grass.
As they discussed further plans to locate Mrs. Du, the Crown Prince unexpectedly arrived and declared the case closed, stating that he had found Mrs. Du's body and personally killed her in self-defense, as she was evil and attacked him. The Crown Prince presented the five-color stones he had recovered from Mrs. Du's body to Qing Moyan. Qing Moyan subtly probed, asking if anything else, particularly ghost grass, had been found on Mrs. Du.
The Crown Prince claimed he was not clear about other items but directed Qing Moyan to investigate Mrs. Du's body in the nearby forest if he wished. After bidding farewell and stating urgent palace business, the Crown Prince departed. As he rode away with his attendants, he covertly produced a small medicine bottle, revealing that he had indeed retrieved the ghost grass from Mrs. Du.
Back at the mansion, Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu discussed the possibility that Mrs. Du hadn't carried the ghost grass on her person. Qing Moyan then placed the five-color stone he had on Ru Xiaolan's neck. To everyone's astonishment, Ru Xiaolan immediately woke up. Her rapid recovery baffled them, as a normal person with such a severe blood loss would typically require five to ten days to recover. Ru Xiaolan, disoriented, asked why everyone was watching her sleep and questioned the meaning of blood loss.
Episode 12 Recap
Upon regaining consciousness, Ru Xiaolan noticed the strange looks from everyone and realized it was due to Mrs. Du. Having obtained Mrs. Du's five-color stone, Ru Xiaolan found herself once again capable of light footwork, an ability she now attributed to the stone. She was thrilled, feeling closer to collecting all the five-color stones. Qing Moyan discovered a mysterious map, prompting the group to decide to follow it in search of ghost grass.
Qing Moyan split the group, sending Xuan Yu and Chang Hen one way, while he and Ru Xiaolan ventured to the area marked on the map. The ghost grass was nowhere to be found, and Ru Xiaolan twisted her ankle. Seeing her injury, Qing Moyan suggested they spend the night in a nearby cave, a proposal Ru Xiaolan found unexpectedly ambiguous. Resting in the cave, Ru Xiaolan and Qing Moyan exchanged hesitant glances.
Ru Xiaolan pondered Qing Moyan's earlier vague statement about not being able to manage without her, wishing he would clarify, but she was too shy to ask directly. Qing Moyan then asked if she had any special plans for after they found the ghost grass and cured the poison, but Ru Xiaolan preferred to leave it to the future. Ru Xiaolan then offered to read his palm, claiming expertise as a Yin-Yang master skilled in palmistry.
She held and examined his hand for a long time without discerning anything, making Qing Moyan suspect she was deliberately touching his hand. To defend herself, she jokingly commented on his "short line of wisdom," prompting him to retort that hers was short. She explained that she learned palm reading from her grandfather, a truly great Yin-Yang master who knew much about destiny.
Qing Moyan observed Ru Xiaolan's happiness when speaking of her grandfather, which made him feel a pang of sadness. Realizing Qing Moyan's strained relationship with his own father, Ru Xiaolan quickly offered comfort. She apologized for overhearing his previous conversation, and Qing Moyan revealed he knew little about his mother.
He shared that his nanny once told him the poison in his body was caused by his mother, but his father found out and severely beat the nanny, after which no one dared speak of his mother again. Ru Xiaolan understood why he was still searching for her. Qing Moyan then revealed that the five-color stone he possessed was his mother's only memento, and he had hoped to use it to gain information in Qingshui Village.
However, with Mrs. Du's death, he felt that opportunity was lost. Despite its significance to him, he felt Ru Xiaolan needed it more, especially after recent events showed how it aided her recovery, and he gave it to her. As soon as Ru Xiaolan put on the five-color stone, it emitted a radiant light, leading them to a nearby room where they discovered a cauldron covered in talismans.
Ru Xiaolan recognized the spell on the cauldron, which read: "In a universe of four seas, Heaven and Earth swap places. The reincarnation of life and death, only a cat's soul can solve it." This was the very incantation she had recited when she traveled to this world, and she suspected it might be a gate for her to return home. Qing Moyan theorized that with sufficient energy, she might be able to return without needing all five stones.
Believing Ru Xiaolan was about to leave him for her home, Qing Moyan said, "You don't belong here. Go back," and then turned away sadly and went outside. Ru Xiaolan felt she could return, yet she hesitated, realizing she didn't want to leave because she couldn't bear to part with Qing Moyan. Meanwhile, Qing Moyan, unable to endure her departure, rushed back into the room. Ru Xiaolan, equally reluctant to leave him, did not recite the spell.
Qing Moyan embraced her, and they agreed to continue their search for ghost grass together. Ru Xiaolan, held in his arms, couldn't stop wondering about the true meaning of his embrace. Meanwhile, Chang Hen and Xuan Yu, through a series of accidental discoveries, stumbled upon the ghost grass near a grave in a cemetery. They excitedly reunited with Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan to share the news of their difficult find.
Qing Moyan, noticing Ru Xiaolan's lingering desire to return home, promised her that once all the five-color stones were collected, he would bring her back to that very spot. Later, as Ru Xiaolan slept peacefully at the inn, Qing Moyan watched her with a heavy heart, realizing her inevitable departure. He admitted to himself that he had fallen in love with her.
He gently kissed her forehead, resolving to set aside the matter of the five-color stones for now and cherish their time together. Upon hearing of Mrs. Du's death, the Noble Consort grew fearful. A palace servant seized the opportunity to mention that Qing Moyan had taken leave from the Emperor and traveled to Qingshui Village with the Crown Prince. The servant speculated that Mrs. Du's death might be connected to Qing Moyan's activities.
The Noble Consort, concerned that Qing Moyan might have uncovered too much from Mrs. Du, began to view him with apprehension. She subtly interrogated the Crown Prince about his trip. The Crown Prince responded evasively, mentioning Princess Liu Yang's kidnapping, then proactively shared information about Qing Moyan finding imprisoned prostitutes captured by Mrs. Du for blood pills, and asked if his mother knew of such a person. This made the Noble Consort suspect Qing Moyan.
The Crown Prince's subordinate worried that the Noble Consort might suspect the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince was certain that if the Noble Consort had any ties to Mrs. Du, she would first seek out Qing Moyan for answers. The Crown Prince feared that if the Noble Consort indeed confronted Qing Moyan, his greatest fear would be realized: his mother had been keeping many secrets from him.
The next morning, Ru Xiaolan woke to find Xuan Yu directing servants to move her belongings back. She learned that Qing Moyan had agreed to her return to Dali Temple and was overjoyed. Upon hearing that Qing Moyan was having his blood drawn for Chang Hen to make medicine, Ru Xiaolan, out of concern, wrapped his minor wound with an excessively large bandage, much to Qing Moyan's bewilderment. During this, they accidentally embraced.
Ru Xiaolan then asked if he would miss her, but Qing Moyan quickly found an excuse about the Qingshui Village case and needing to rest, and left. Ru Xiaolan later inquired with Chang Hen about the medicine, learning that the ghost grass preparation would take three days. She then faked a stomach ache to leave Chang Hen alone. Late that night, as Chang Hen was diligently preparing the medicine, a mysterious masked woman released a knockout gas, rendering Chang Hen unconscious.
Episode 13 Recap
Ru Xiaolan eagerly observed Chang Hen's efforts, learning that the ghost grass medicine would require three days to complete. Late that night, as Chang Hen was diligently preparing the medicine, a mysterious masked woman knocked him unconscious with sleeping smoke. The same veiled figure then entered Xuan Yu's alchemy chamber, intending to harm her. Meanwhile, Ru Xiaolan, engaged in a quiet activity in her room, utilized her heightened senses to detect the intrusion at Chang Hen's quarters.
She immediately rushed over and confronted the masked woman. Despite her efforts, Ru Xiaolan was unable to overpower the intruder, who managed to escape with the ghost grass. After the incident, Xuan Yu and Chang Hen discussed the situation. Xuan Yu confirmed that while the ghost grass was stolen, the remaining medicine in the pot was sufficient for their needs. Qing Moyan questioned who could have been responsible, given that only a few knew about the ghost grass.
Ru Xiaolan recalled the intruder's general build, stating she was about Ru Xiaolan's height and neither fat nor skinny, suggesting the culprit was a woman. Xuan Yu briefly wondered if it was Mrs. Du, but Ru Xiaolan reiterated that Mrs. Du was confirmed dead. Ru Xiaolan then remembered tearing a piece of cloth from the intruder and noticing a distinct, special odor.
Qing Moyan noted the delicate knitting of the fabric and dispatched Xuan Yu to research its origin and use. Believing the special fragrance she detected on the masked woman was that of a plant, Ru Xiaolan, determined to assist Qing Moyan, diligently searched outdoors for any plants emitting a similar scent. She grew increasingly frustrated when she couldn't locate it. Qing Moyan discovered her efforts, and after she explained her theory about the plant-like smell, he gently touched her head.
He told her to stop meddling and leave the investigation to him, urging her to simply stay put. As Qing Moyan walked away, Ru Xiaolan gazed at his retreating figure, a flutter in her heart, and wondered if this was what it felt like to like someone. The attendant returned to the Consort, delivering the stolen ghost grass and recounting her struggle with Ru Xiaolan, during which she discovered Ru Xiaolan's ability to use Yin and Yang power.
She also presented a spell Ru Xiaolan had used. Examining the spell, the Consort's mind drifted to a past memory, recalling when she and her younger sister had practiced similar Yin and Yang spells. Her sister, focused on marrying the handsome new emperor, was reminded by the Consort of their duty to use their powers to help the monarch.
The Consort recognized Ru Xiaolan's spell as belonging to her own master's lineage, pondering if Ru Xiaolan was taught by her missing sister or was a later disciple of their shared master. She also harbored suspicion, wondering what her long-absent sister might want to take from her this time. Later that night, Ru Xiaolan awoke from a nightmare, deeply worried about Qing Moyan's gu poison reappearing.
She rushed to his room, embracing him tightly and expressing immense relief that he was alright. She offered to stay and keep him company, even noticing his red eyes and asking about his discomfort. However, Qing Moyan, grappling with the onset of his own poison, sternly insisted she return to her room to prevent inadvertently harming her as he had before.
Feeling frustrated and rejected by Qing Moyan's unromantic behavior, Ru Xiaolan fumed, calling him a "stupid pig" and remarking that it was no surprise he didn't have a girlfriend. She then scolded herself for her own "vulgar" thoughts. Unbeknownst to them, Ru Xiaolan overheard a conversation between Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu.
Xuan Yu mentioned that Qing Moyan was scheduled to go to the palace that day, not only to inquire about the mysterious fabric from palace staff but also because the emperor wished to discuss Princess Liu Yang's marriage. Upon hearing this, Ru Xiaolan immediately suspected a matchmaking arrangement for Qing Moyan and stealthily made her way into the palace, determined to discover who he was supposed to meet.
Ru Xiaolan wandered into the Consort's palace by mistake, where she noticed the familiar scent of the intruder on one of the palace servants. When the Crown Prince happened to pass by, Ru Xiaolan asked him about the scent. He explained it was agarwood, a precious wood from the Southern nation, highly valued for its fragrance, often called the "king of incense" due to its rare, centuries-long formation.
When Ru Xiaolan revealed that this was the same smell she detected on the intruder at Dali Temple, the Prince, keen to divert suspicion from the Consort, quickly clarified that agarwood was widely used throughout the palace, including his own East Palace, and by many nobles and traders, thereby expanding the list of potential suspects.
As the Prince tried to give Ru Xiaolan an item, Xuan Yu suddenly appeared and whisked her away, claiming they had urgent matters to attend to. Later, the Consort visited the Prince, expressing her displeasure at his closeness with Ru Xiaolan and reminding him of his royal duties and responsibilities as Crown Prince.
The Prince, looking unhappy, mentioned his own health issues, to which the Consort responded with concern, speaking of her sacrifices for him and urging him to take his medicine. Upon meeting Qing Moyan, Ru Xiaolan immediately apologized for her unauthorized entry into the palace, confessing that she had come to investigate his supposed matchmaking with Princess Liu Yang.
Qing Moyan, sensing her jealousy and secretly pleased, called her a fool and stated he had no intention of marrying Princess Liu Yang. Xuan Yu then further clarified that while the emperor had indeed summoned Qing Moyan to discuss Princess Liu Yang's marriage, it was for a lord from a neighboring kingdom, not Qing Moyan himself. He added that the matchmaking had been temporarily suspended due to Princess Liu Yang's objections.
Relieved, Ru Xiaolan became playfully defensive when Qing Moyan teased her about eavesdropping, explaining her heightened hearing was to blame. Meanwhile, back in his East Palace, the Crown Prince gazed at the cup Ru Xiaolan had used during their drinking session at the inn. He reminisced about a night where, under the influence of alcohol, he had openly confessed his strong feelings for her, expressing his wish for her to enter the palace and remain by his side.
Holding a hairpin he had prepared for her, he sadly realized that she seemed to have no memory of that heartfelt declaration. Finally, Chang Hen completed the medicinal concoction. Everyone watched with bated breath as Qing Moyan consumed the elixir. After checking Qing Moyan's pulse, Chang Hen joyfully announced that at least 90% of the gu poison in his body had vanished, filling everyone with immense happiness.
Ru Xiaolan enthusiastically suggested a celebratory drink, though she was reminded by Chang Hen and Xuan Yu that Qing Moyan's recovering body couldn't handle alcohol. Instead, she offered to prepare a feast of delicious dishes for a celebratory evening. Later, Xuan Yu, acting on Qing Moyan's orders, presented Ru Xiaolan with a beautiful new dress, urging her to change quickly as Qing Moyan was waiting to take them to a fun place.
Overjoyed, Ru Xiaolan promptly donned the elegant attire and primped herself. She then approached Qing Moyan, hoping for a compliment or a reaction to her efforts, but he feigned indifference, leaving Ru Xiaolan deeply disappointed and frustrated by his apparent lack of romantic appreciation. During their celebratory outing, Ru Xiaolan wandered through the bustling stalls alone, while Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu followed behind her with little reaction. As she admired the lively street scenes, Ru Xiaolan couldn't help but fantasize about dancing with Qing Moyan, lost in a daydream of romance.
Episode 14 Recap
Ru Xiaolan was lost in a fantasy of dancing with Qing Moyan in the bustling street, only to be brought back to reality by him pinching her cheek. He was speechless at her infatuated expression. Unfazed, Ru Xiaolan was overjoyed and spontaneously linked arms with him as they continued their walk. Her attention was soon drawn to a vendor selling red strings, a popular item among couples.
She picked one up, remarking that in her world, these strings were worn by people who liked each other. Realizing she might have said too much, she quickly excused herself to buy grilled fish, leaving Qing Moyan to ponder her words. After Ru Xiaolan left, Qing Moyan, intrigued by the meaning of the red strings, secretly purchased two for himself.
Soon after, his poison unexpectedly flared up, causing him to collapse in the street, faintly calling out Ru Xiaolan's name before losing consciousness. Returning with the fish, Ru Xiaolan frantically searched for him. Her acute hearing, a newly acquired ability, picked up his cries for help, leading her to the street corner where she found him and quickly took him back.
Meanwhile, a mysterious masked figure, observing from a distance, joyfully murmured that the "King of Poison" he had sought for so many years had finally appeared. Witnessing Qing Moyan's severe poison relapse, Ru Xiaolan was deeply distressed and wanted to stay by his side. However, Chang Hen and Xuan Yu both insisted she leave the room. Chang Hen explained the gravity of the situation, revealing that Ru Xiaolan's vital energy was being used to suppress Qing Moyan's poison.
She reminded Ru Xiaolan that the last time she helped him, she was unconscious for three days. Continuously assisting him in this manner would gravely deplete her life force. Ru Xiaolan then understood that Qing Moyan's previous attempts to send her away were an effort to protect her from this danger. Upon waking, Qing Moyan immediately asked for Ru Xiaolan.
Chang Hen tearfully confessed that she had informed Ru Xiaolan about the life-threatening risk involved in suppressing his poison, causing Ru Xiaolan to disappear earlier that morning. Qing Moyan reassured Chang Hen not to blame herself. Just then, Ru Xiaolan returned, laden with numerous herbal medicines. She declared that she had thought about it all night and had resolved to stay with Qing Moyan to help him detoxify.
If stopping his poison meant losing her vital energy, she would simply focus on replenishing it. She bought Angelica, ginseng, and Chinese mushroom for general nutrition, and jujube, white peony root, and Di Huang to nourish her blood. She earnestly told Qing Moyan that in this strange new world, he was the only person she had and the only one she trusted.
Moved by her unwavering devotion, Qing Moyan pulled her closer and kissed her, declaring that if she chose not to leave now, he would never let her go. In the palace garden, the Consort Empress observed the Young Prince carving a wooden doll with Ru Xiaolan's name on it. Although she remained impassive, she grew more attentive to matters concerning Ru Xiaolan.
Later, she met with Qing Feng, her martial arts brother, the very masked man who had been seeking the King of Poison. Qing Feng mentioned sensing the King of Poison's presence in the city. The Consort Empress, aware of Qing Feng's desire to find the King of Poison to save his wife and daughter, expressed her willingness to help him.
She revealed her own goal of finding Qing Huan, suggesting that Qing Huan, whom many believed to have died twenty years ago, was actually alive and likely behind the reappearance of the King of Poison. The Consort Empress then produced a spell tag of Ru Xiaolan's, noting it was a fire spell frequently used by Qing Huan, and speculated that Ru Xiaolan might be Qing Huan's daughter. She then asked Qing Feng for his assistance in dealing with Ru Xiaolan.
Ru Xiaolan, full of spirit, drafted a contract for Qing Moyan, playfully making him sign an agreement that he would never chase her away and, more importantly, could not die without her permission. He lovingly stroked her head and signed it without hesitation. Ru Xiaolan then added another clause, stating he could no longer treat her like a pet. Qing Moyan teased her about still acting like a pet, but then tenderly declared, "You are my woman."
As they officially became a couple, they held hands and shared a kiss outside the Dali Temple, just as the Young Prince arrived. He had come to give Ru Xiaolan a wooden doll he had made for her but looked dejected upon seeing them. He confessed to Ru Xiaolan that he hadn't been sleeping well recently and kept hearing a man's voice.
He invited her to stay in the palace for a few days, an offer she politely declined, though she sensed something was truly amiss with him. Ru Xiaolan discussed the Young Prince's odd behavior with Qing Moyan. They suspected he was under a spell, but it was still in its nascent stages, making its origin and destruction unclear.
While they were being affectionate, Xuan Yu arrived with grave news: two palace maids and a eunuch had been killed at the Young Prince's palace. Qing Moyan immediately took Ru Xiaolan to investigate. Upon their arrival, the Young Prince excitedly greeted Ru Xiaolan, grabbing her hand. He explained that he had gone to bed early the previous night and had heard noises outside his room, but was too sleepy to investigate.
The following morning, he found his palace servants lying dead in pools of blood outside. Soon after, the Crown Prince arrived. He greeted Ru Xiaolan warmly and asked if she was free to accompany him, as he had something he wished to give her. Qing Moyan quickly intervened, stating that they had urgent official duties at Dali Temple to attend to after the investigation. The Crown Prince, however, continued to press, hinting that Qing Moyan was deliberately keeping Ru Xiaolan busy.
Episode 15 Recap
The Crown Prince, upon seeing Ru Xiaolan, asked her to accompany him, stating he had something for her. Qing Moyan immediately interjected, explaining that they had official duties at Dali Temple to attend to after their current investigation. However, the Crown Prince insisted he was asking for Ru Xiaolan's opinion, then subtly questioned if Qing Moyan was intentionally trying to hinder Miss Ru.
As Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu investigated the crime scene, Xuan Yu noted that the attacked maids and guards had fatal slashes to their abdomens but showed no signs of resistance. Qing Moyan observed that the lack of bloodstains implied the attacks were swift and efficient, and questioned why the Young Prince remained unharmed if he was the target, suggesting the assassin might have had another motive or been interrupted.
The Crown Prince soon arrived, pressing Qing Moyan for conclusions and emphasizing the threat to the Young Prince, urging him to do his utmost. Meanwhile, Ru Xiaolan spoke with the Young Prince, attempting to reassure him. She mentioned that Qing Moyan would uncover the truth and even suggested they go kite-flying once the murderer was caught. However, the Young Prince appeared distraught, admitting he was still afraid.
He told Ru Xiaolan that he couldn't stay in the palace any longer, fearing he would be the next victim or be driven mad by the constant threats. He pleaded with Ru Xiaolan to let him reside at Dali Temple for a while, a request Ru Xiaolan agreed to discuss with Qing Moyan.
Back at Dali Temple, Ru Xiaolan tried to convince Qing Moyan to let the Young Prince stay, citing the Young Prince's fear and the ongoing threat from the killer. Qing Moyan was reluctant, arguing that accepting everyone who felt threatened would turn Dali Temple into a shelter for thousands. Ru Xiaolan, however, insisted the Young Prince was a friend and it would be a good deed.
Qing Moyan retorted that in his opinion, the Young Prince did not view her merely as a friend, prompting Ru Xiaolan to playfully accuse him of jealousy. Qing Moyan dismissed the idea, stating there was no need for jealousy since she was "his pet." After the Young Prince settled into his room, he called out to Ru Xiaolan and presented her with a gift. When Ru Xiaolan inquired about its meaning, the Young Prince confessed his feelings for her.
Ru Xiaolan gently declined, revealing that she had a crush on someone who also liked her. The Young Prince, though disappointed, correctly guessed she was referring to Qing Moyan. Unknown to them, Qing Moyan had overheard their entire conversation and felt a surge of happiness. Later that night, a dark force controlled the Young Prince, compelling him to attack Ru Xiaolan. Qing Moyan and Xuan Yu intervened just in time.
As Qing Moyan protected Ru Xiaolan from the Young Prince's assault, his poison curse flared up, causing him to collapse. Qingfeng, the one remotely controlling the Young Prince, was astonished to realize that Qing Moyan was the true host of the King of Poison. He was further shocked when Ru Xiaolan chanted an incantation, demonstrating her knowledge of Yin and Yang magic. Overwhelmed by their combined power, Qingfeng was severely injured and retreated, wondering about Ru Xiaolan's identity.
With the Young Prince stabilized by Chang Hen, Ru Xiaolan explained to Qing Moyan that the Young Prince was under a dangerous manipulation curse, differing from Princess Liuyang’s previous curse by being an artificial, blood-fueled spell intended to control a person directly. Qingfeng, having learned that Qing Moyan harbored the King of Poison, informed Consort Mother. She recalled memories of Lord Qing, Qing Moyan's father, secretly observing Qing Huan during her training.
Connecting these events, Consort Mother deduced that Qing Moyan was Qing Huan's son. Qingfeng then warned Consort Mother that if the Emperor discovered she had orchestrated the murder of his beloved Empress and cursed the Crown Prince, she would face severe repercussions. Qingfeng revealed that the Empress, Qing Huan, was the Emperor's true love, and Consort Mother had eliminated her out of jealousy.
Angered by the reminder, Consort Mother, known as Qing Xia, lashed out at Qingfeng for daring to use her given name. She reminded him that her assistance to him was based on old affections and threatened him if he pushed his luck. Qingfeng, undeterred, reiterated that the Emperor's wrath would be inescapable if her crimes were exposed. Their tense conversation was secretly overheard by the Crown Prince, who began to piece together fragments of the past.
When the Young Prince regained consciousness, he was horrified to learn he had killed his own servants. Believing he had committed the murders, he was overcome with fear. Qing Moyan reassured him that he was merely a victim of manipulation. The Young Prince then recounted that a eunuch and a mysterious doctor had visited his bedroom to examine him and prescribed medicine, after which he lost all memory.
Ru Xiaolan examined the medicine residue and confirmed it contained burned charms, indicating a curse rather than medication. Recognizing this as an inside job, Qing Moyan ordered Xuan Yu to investigate the eunuch and doctor. After Qing Moyan reported the incident to the Emperor, a full investigation was ordered. Consort Mother was alarmed to hear the news.
Her maid quickly assured her that the implicated eunuch, Luo Feng, had been eliminated, and all evidence was destroyed, ensuring Consort Mother's involvement remained hidden. Consort Mother expressed regret for not eliminating the Young Prince earlier and immediately ordered the elimination of Lord Qing as well. Later, the Crown Prince paid Consort Mother a visit.
Feigning concern, she inquired about his health, only for the Crown Prince to subtly accuse her, hinting at his knowledge of her past misdeeds, including his own poisoned state. Guilt-ridden, Consort Mother feared he knew the full truth, but the Crown Prince, having made his point, decided not to press his mother further and diffused the conversation. Early the next morning, Ru Xiaolan visited the Young Prince in the palace to ensure his safety, feeling relieved to see him well.
To save face after his rejected confession, the Young Prince attributed his declaration of love to his manipulated state, restoring their friendship. Upon learning of Ru Xiaolan's visit to the Young Prince, Qing Moyan grew visibly frustrated and waited impatiently for her at Dali Temple. When Ru Xiaolan returned, she was overjoyed to see how concerned he was for her.
Meanwhile, Chang Hen and Xuan Yu, delving into ancient texts and various "Yin Yang" themed novels, uncovered critical information about Qing Moyan’s condition. Chang Hen revealed to Qing Moyan that the poison curse within him was indeed the King of Poison, an incurable affliction. She explained that he had survived because it was a mother-to-fetus transmission: his mother had been cursed, passing it to him during birth.
While this prevented immediate death, it meant Qing Moyan would suffer from the King of Poison for his entire life. Stunned by this revelation, Qing Moyan immediately went to Lord Qing's mansion, demanding answers about his mother. Lord Qing, clearly reluctant to speak of the past, initially dismissed his questions, but Qing Moyan pressed him, stating that he knew the poisonous curse came from his mother.
Episode 16 Recap
Qing Moyan confronted his father, pressing him for answers about his mother. The King of Qing, enraged at the mention of her, refused to speak of her and claimed she was a normal woman. While wandering the courtyard, Ru Xiaolan heard a woman's voice pleading for help for her child. Following the voice, she entered the King of Qing's study and found a portrait of Qing Huan.
Ru Xiaolan recognized the woman in the painting as someone familiar, but as she gazed at it, she accidentally cut her hand, and a drop of blood fell onto the image. The King of Qing discovered Ru Xiaolan in his study, holding the precious portrait, and flew into a rage. Qing Moyan defended Ru Xiaolan, further straining his relationship with his father. Qing Moyan noticed Ru Xiaolan's injured hand and tenderly bandaged it, adorning her wrist with a red string.
He explained that he had made two red strings, inspired by a custom from her hometown where lovers wear them. Ru Xiaolan was touched by his romantic gesture and found herself even more drawn to him. As Qing Moyan leaned in close, Ru Xiaolan's heart raced, anticipating a kiss. However, Qing Moyan clarified that he was merely observing the green light that occasionally flashed in her eyes. Ru Xiaolan, feeling self-conscious, became flustered.
Seeing her thoughts written plainly on her face, Qing Moyan teased her by kissing her on the forehead before telling her to get some rest. Later that night, Ru Xiaolan had a vivid dream of Qing Huan, gravely wounded and begging Ru Xiaolan to save her child. Startled awake, the dream and the image of Qing Huan from the painting left her disturbed.
Compelled to investigate, Ru Xiaolan returned to the study, sensing that Qing Huan's story was more complex than it seemed. Qing Moyan, worried about her, followed her, and Ru Xiaolan was gladdened by his concern. Meanwhile, the King of Qing, realizing he could no longer conceal the truth, secretly visited Qing Huan's burial location to mourn her.
Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan followed him and discovered the hidden tomb, confirming that his father had been hiding the truth about his mother. Unbeknownst to them, a palace maidservant of the Consort was also spying on the King of Qing. Ru Xiaolan recognized the maidservant's fragrance, a familiar scent she couldn't quite place.
The maidservant reported back to the Consort about the King of Qing's secret visits to Qing Huan's burial site and revealed that she had already had the tomb opened, only to find it contained clothing. This led the Consort to believe that Qing Huan was alive and would seek revenge, so she planned to strike first.
Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan, intending to pay their respects, arrived at Qing Huan's tomb only to find it had been disturbed and the coffin opened. Upon returning to the Qing residence, Qing Moyan discovered his father was missing. Knowing his father's character, Qing Moyan suspected he had been ambushed on his way back. In reality, the Consort had captured the King of Qing, seeking to learn Qing Huan's whereabouts.
The King of Qing insisted that Qing Huan was dead and implored the Consort to leave her in peace, but she remained unconvinced and relentlessly interrogated him. Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan investigated the area where the King of Qing had disappeared and found traces of blood. Ru Xiaolan recalled the scent from earlier and remembered the Crown Prince mentioning that it was a special incense from the palace. Qing Moyan realized that someone powerful in the palace had abducted his father, as ordinary servants wouldn't dare to harm the King of Qing.
Episode 17 Recap
Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan entered the palace to investigate Lord Qing's disappearance. The Young Prince informed them that nothing unusual had occurred recently, as he had been busy repairing puppets. He then presented Ru Xiaolan with a meticulously crafted puppet that resembled her, explaining that he used her as his reference. Ru Xiaolan, delighted to receive such a gift for the first time, thanked him, while Qing Moyan looked visibly displeased.
Later, the Crown Prince visited the Noble Consort and noticed a bloodstain on her sleeve. He questioned her about it, and she quickly explained that she had accidentally pricked her finger while doing stitchwork. The Crown Prince advised his mother to let maids handle such tasks and urged her to focus on learning governance with his father, emphasizing that taking care of herself was the only way to ease his mind. He then excused himself.
Unbeknownst to him, the bloodstain was that of Lord Qing. Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan approached the Noble Consort's Hall for further investigation. Ru Xiaolan, eager to proceed, was advised by Qing Moyan to be patient as there was a time limit for palace entry. Suddenly, the Crown Prince appeared, blocking their path. Ru Xiaolan, with her keen sense of smell, detected a complex odor, including blood, emanating from the Noble Consort's Hall.
She declared her certainty that there was something amiss within. The Crown Prince, however, confronted them, stating he heard Lord Qing had disappeared and accused them of lying about their reason for being there. Qing Moyan clarified they were investigating his father's disappearance. The Crown Prince, acknowledging Qing Moyan's anxiety but reminding him of the need for a search warrant, deemed their presence a trespass. Qing Moyan took full responsibility for the rushed decision, apologizing to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince warned Qing Moyan that his favor with the emperor did not grant him free reign within the palace. Privately, the Crown Prince suspected something was wrong with his mother. As they left, Ru Xiaolan questioned why Qing Moyan stopped her, to which he responded that the Crown Prince would never agree if they accused his mother. Ru Xiaolan insisted she had smelled blood and was convinced of secrets in the Noble Consort's Hall.
Qing Moyan explained that they could not arrest anyone based solely on her sense of smell and needed stronger evidence to save his father before ordering their immediate departure from the palace. Back at Dali Temple, Qing Moyan discussed the case with his subordinates. One reported that a thorough search of the mountain yielded no evidence, suggesting the suspect's methods were secretive. Qing Moyan concluded that entering the palace was necessary.
A subordinate suggested bribing someone inside for secret evidence, but Qing Moyan cautioned against it, emphasizing the need for a trustworthy, logical contact skilled in intelligence gathering. Finding it difficult to find such a person, he declared he had to make a bold move. Chang Hen, present at the discussion, offered to take on the task of collecting information in the palace.
When it was pointed out that her face was too well-known, Chang Hen revealed, "Actually, I am a lady." Xuan Yu was shocked by Chang Hen's revelation and offered to verify her gender. Chang Hen apologized to Qing Moyan for her deception, explaining that she had been investigating a 20-year-old case while disguised in Dali Temple. Qing Moyan accepted her apology and promised to help her with her case after Lord Qing's matter was resolved.
Chang Hen emphasized her knowledge of the palace system and the efficiency of this method, especially given Lord Qing's danger, reiterating her willingness to go despite the risks. Xuan Yu vehemently protested, worried about her safety. Qing Moyan reassured them that he would take full responsibility and face the emperor directly if anything went wrong. Chang Hen expressed her gratitude, declaring her readiness and willingness to die without regret.
Seeing Chang Hen in female attire, Xuan Yu lamented his foolishness, recalling how he had unknowingly shared erotic novels and engaged in casual physical contact with her. He cursed himself for his shameless and obscene remarks. Later, Qing Moyan confirmed the plan: Xuan Yu would lead Chang Hen into the palace in a few days, around the Mid-Autumn Festival Feast. Chang Hen's sole mission was to locate Lord Qing so they could rescue him during the feast.
Qing Moyan warned her that this mission could be fatal. Chang Hen confessed that she was doing it all for him. Knowing Qing Moyan's heart belonged to Ru Xiaolan, Chang Hen made it clear she didn't expect a response, but facing the possibility of never seeing him again, she didn't want to die with regret. She then embraced him and apologized. Ru Xiaolan witnessed Chang Hen's emotional confession and embrace with Qing Moyan, which left her heartbroken.
Soon after, Xuan Yu, seeing Ru Xiaolan, pulled her along, insisting she accompany him to apologize to Chang Hen because he couldn't face her alone. Upon meeting Chang Hen, Xuan Yu formally apologized for his improper behavior and language, particularly his past habit of sharing erotic novels, which Chang Hen gracefully covered by saying he only shared drawings. Chang Hen then asked to speak with Ru Xiaolan privately.
Aware that Ru Xiaolan had overheard her conversation with Qing Moyan, Chang Hen candidly admitted her five-year-long affection for him. Ru Xiaolan, touched, acknowledged that Chang Hen didn't need to tell her this. Chang Hen then explained that she had mentally put an end to her feelings and now felt fortunate to see Sir happy with Ru Xiaolan, believing Ru Xiaolan was the only one who could bring him true happiness.
Chang Hen announced that she would no longer be known as Chang Hen from Dali Temple, but rather by her childhood name, Xiaowan. She entrusted Ru Xiaolan with Qing Moyan's prescription list, asking her to take good care of him. Ru Xiaolan, moved by Chang Hen's words, gave her a talisman she had created, asking her to promise to return safely. Chang Hen, accepting it, promised she would.
Chang Hen, now known as Xiaowan, entered the palace as a palace servant, beginning her investigation in the Noble Consort's Hall. She was warned by another palace servant not to approach Lian'er's locked room without permission. Meanwhile, Qing Feng informed the Noble Consort that Lord Qing remained stubborn and refused to confess. Qing Feng suggested eliminating him and directly targeting Qing Moyan, "the King of Poison."
The Noble Consort, however, cautioned against such rash action, reminding Qing Feng that Qing Moyan was favored by the emperor and any suspicion on her could implicate him. She then revealed her plan: to use a "Poison Curses Catalyst" at the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival Feast to expose Qing Moyan's possession of Gu poison.
She explained that if Ru Xiaolan, in her panic, used her Yin and Yang techniques, it would further solidify the accusation of Qing Moyan colluding with a demon witch. Once Qing Moyan fell out of the emperor's favor and lost his position as Dali Temple's leader, they could then deal with him. Qing Feng agreed, stating the emperor would never tolerate such collusion.
The Noble Consort added that Qing Huan would likely appear once she learned her son was in danger, allowing them to "kill three birds with one stone" by removing Qing Moyan and eliminating her biggest concern. Yi Sheng reported to the Crown Prince that the Noble Consort had gone out of the palace early and was seen plotting with a stranger, further raising the Crown Prince's suspicions about his mother.
Yi Sheng also noted that Qing Moyan was actively suppressing news of Lord Qing's disappearance, leading the Crown Prince to believe Qing Moyan was secretly planning something. As the Mid-Autumn Festival Feast approached, the Emperor frequently thought of Qing Huan, his beloved Empress, who had been missing for two decades. Despite her disappearance, he had not deposed her, instead publicly claiming she was away praying. The Noble Consort observed his recent agitation and temper.
She strategically acted understanding and undemanding, lamenting Qing Huan's absence and praising the Emperor for his unwavering hope for Qing Huan's return. The Emperor expressed guilt for having "shamed" the Noble Consort by not striving for his favor over the years, to which she humbly replied that her greatest desire was to stay by his side and fill her sister's shoes. He assured her he would remember her devotion.
While working in the palace, Chang Hen discreetly passed a note to Ru Xiaolan, stating that "Lian'er's room is abnormal" and "the key is on her person," instructing them to investigate the Noble Consort's maid. The Mid-Autumn Festival Feast commenced. Before the main festivities, the Crown Prince approached Qing Moyan, inquiring about his father's disappearance. Qing Moyan thanked him for his concern but stated he had no new intelligence, though he was confident they would find his father soon.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ru Xiaolan slipped away. Recalling Chang Hen's note about Lian'er's room, Ru Xiaolan discreetly used a trick to steal the key from Lian'er, intending to rescue Lord Qing. However, she was caught by the Crown Prince. He confronted her about her lingering doubts about his mother. Ru Xiaolan admitted she now smelled blood in the Noble Consort's Hall and believed it was the only way to uncover the truth and save Lord Qing.
The Crown Prince, hesitant to implicate his mother, lamented that the truth might hurt him as well. Ru Xiaolan countered that she couldn't stand by when it concerned Qing Moyan's father. After Ru Xiaolan's fervent pleas, the Crown Prince reluctantly agreed to help. He summoned Yi Sheng and ordered him to find Lord Qing in the Noble Consort's Hall, rescue him, and destroy all evidence to protect the Noble Consort.
To Ru Xiaolan's shock, he further commanded Yi Sheng to kill anyone else who knew of the situation. The Crown Prince then told Ru Xiaolan to stop being selfish, emphasizing his unwillingness to hurt her.
Episode 18 Recap
The Crown Prince held Ru Xiaolan, pleading with her to stop being selfish. He revealed a hairpin he had prepared for her, confessing that he had hoped she would eventually reciprocate his feelings. However, with her choosing Qing Moyan, he felt his only remaining path was to protect his mother. His firm grip on Ru Xiaolan frightened her. During the banquet, the Noble Consort, under the guise of offering a toast, instructed Lian'er to serve wine to Qing Moyan.
The wine contained the "Poison Curses Catalyst." Qing Moyan noticed the Noble Consort's unusual demeanor and subtly used his sleeve to cover his cup, pretending to drink. Meanwhile, Lian'er, noticing Ru Xiaolan's absence from the table, quickly informed the Noble Consort. Realizing her plan was compromised, the Noble Consort attempted to excuse herself, claiming to feel unwell from too much wine.
However, Qing Moyan observed her reaction and seized the opportunity to address the Emperor, speaking about the recent desecration of his mother's tomb. He framed it as a peculiar and unsolved case, explaining that unlike typical grave robberies, the tomb now contained no skeleton. The Emperor, intrigued by the strange case and unaware that the tomb belonged to Qing Moyan's mother, encouraged him to elaborate, inadvertently preventing the Noble Consort from leaving.
Ru Xiaolan finally struggled free from the Crown Prince's grasp, intent on helping. Meanwhile, Chang Hen, disguised as a palace servant, entered Lian'er's room and successfully located Prince Qing. As Chang Hen attempted to lead Prince Qing away, she unexpectedly encountered Qing Feng. Qing Feng confronted her for trespassing in the Noble Consort's hall and trying to free a prisoner. He attacked and rendered Chang Hen unconscious.
Initially intending to silence her, Qing Feng discovered a plum blossom birthmark on her body, recognizing it as that of his long-lost daughter, Wan'er. A fire then broke out in the Noble Consort's hall. The Crown Prince's subordinate, Yi Sheng, rescued Prince Qing. Following the Crown Prince's earlier orders, Yi Sheng attempted to kill the now-unconscious Chang Hen to eliminate a witness. However, Qing Feng intervened, claiming the Noble Consort had instructed him to take the maid.
He then quickly left with Chang Hen. Shortly after, Ru Xiaolan and Qing Moyan arrived, learning that Prince Qing had been taken by Yi Sheng and was likely safe. Qing Moyan then prioritized rescuing Chang Hen, instructing Xuanyu to monitor the Crown Prince's actions. The Noble Consort was furious upon learning of Prince Qing's escape, berating her subordinates for their incompetence. As she vowed to handle matters herself, the Crown Prince appeared.
He confronted her, revealing his knowledge of her actions and demanding to know the true reason behind his own poison curse. Realizing she could no longer conceal the truth, the Noble Consort admitted it was her fault that he suffered from the curse. She urged him not to worry, assuring him that she would handle everything and that he should not make emotional choices that could implicate him if the truth were fully exposed.
When Chang Hen regained consciousness, Qing Feng, calling her by her true name "Wan'er," revealed himself as her father, marking an emotional reunion. Qing Feng recounted how they were pursued and separated, and how he only survived thanks to the Noble Consort's help. Chang Hen, overwhelmed with joy at finding her father, assured him she harbored no blame. However, just as they reconnected, Qing Feng's internal poison began to act up, causing him distress.
Meanwhile, Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan were actively searching for Chang Hen. Ru Xiaolan, using her heightened sense of smell, detected the scent of patchouli, indicating Chang Hen was nearby. She led Qing Moyan to the outskirts of the city, where they were ambushed by Qing Feng, who had detected Qing Moyan's presence. Qing Feng expressed his intent to capture the King of Poison, believing it would allow him to revive Chang Hen's mother.
Qing Feng then unleashed powerful magic, aiming to kill Qing Moyan to extract the King of Poison from his body. Despite Ru Xiaolan desperately clinging to Qing Moyan's hand, Qing Feng managed to seize him, intending to forcefully remove the King of Poison, a process that would be fatal. As Qing Moyan neared death, Chang Hen suddenly rushed forward, bravely shielding Qing Moyan from Qing Feng's deadly attack.
Qing Moyan was saved, but Chang Hen collapsed into Qing Feng's arms, urging him with her last conscious breath not to help the wicked. Witnessing his daughter sacrifice herself and suffer for his actions, Qing Feng was overcome with deep remorse and finally abandoned his pursuit of Qing Moyan. Qing Moyan, severely wounded and with his internal poison acting up, was in critical condition.
In desperation, Ru Xiaolan transformed back into her cat form and used her own vital energy to heal and revive him. The Noble Consort, who had arrived on the scene, was delighted to see the "Soul-resisting Cat," believing it to be an antidote for her son. She intended to eliminate Qing Moyan and capture the cat, but Qing Moyan, now recovered, quickly overpowered and captured her.
Surprised to discover the Noble Consort was behind the attack, he understood the full extent of the plot. Qing Moyan used the Noble Consort as a bargaining chip to ensure Prince Qing's safe return from the Crown Prince. With the immediate crisis over, Prince Qing finally revealed the truth to Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan.
He explained that Qing Moyan's mother, Qing Huan, had sought to eradicate the King of Poison at Xianyang Mountain with Mr. Wusi but was fatally poisoned, her body consumed by the curse. Prince Qing further explained that he had fallen in love with Qing Huan at first sight, but she never married him, instead becoming the Empress. One day, a severely injured and pregnant Qing Huan appeared at his doorstep, pleading for him to save her unborn child.
He agreed to raise the child, but she passed away two days after giving birth. Qing Moyan was stunned to learn that his biological father was, in fact, the Emperor. Qing Moyan then brought the Emperor to his mother's tomb to pay their respects. The Emperor, now realizing he had wronged Qing Huan years ago, deeply cherished his newfound son.
He declared his intention to recognize Qing Moyan and to strip the Noble Consort of her title, reducing her to a commoner for her actions against Prince Qing and Qing Moyan. However, Qing Moyan interceded on behalf of the Crown Prince, stating that the Crown Prince was unaware of his mother's schemes and that his subordinate had saved Prince Qing. The Emperor accepted this, agreeing that the Crown Prince would not be held accountable, and solemnly acknowledged Qing Moyan as his son.
Episode 19 Recap
After the truth about his birth came to light, the Emperor was pleased when Qing Moyan began calling him "father." Meanwhile, in the imperial prison, the Noble Consort received a visit from the Crown Prince. She berated him for having previously saved Lord Qing, which allowed Qing Moyan to gather evidence against her.
Despite her current predicament, the Noble Consort remained unconcerned about Qing Moyan potentially usurping the Crown Prince's position, asserting that Qing Moyan was afflicted with the King of Poison and would not live much longer. She then instructed the Crown Prince to capture Ru Xiaolan. Once Ru Xiaolan transformed into her cat form, the Noble Consort planned to use her scent gland as a medicinal ingredient to expel all the Gu poison from her own body.
Back at Dali Temple, Ru Xiaolan diligently prepared medicine for Qing Moyan. He, in turn, chided her for risking her life in her earlier attempt to detoxify him. Ru Xiaolan assured him that she was willing to die with him if it meant helping him. Moved by her devotion, Qing Moyan made her promise never to put herself in such danger again, a promise she accepted, and the two shared a tender embrace.
Soon after, Chang Hen expressed her gratitude to Ru Xiaolan for the peach wood charm, which had protected her from Qingfeng's attack. She then requested permission to visit her father, Qingfeng, in prison. Qing Moyan visited Qingfeng in the imperial prison, hoping to learn how to completely eradicate the King of Poison.
Qingfeng claimed ignorance, stating that his master and Qing Huan had worked together to eliminate the Gu King, and he was not fully privy to the details of their process. Disappointed by the lack of specific information, Qing Moyan was then intrigued when Qingfeng mentioned that Ru Xiaolan's Yin Yang magic bore a strong resemblance to his master's. Consumed by resentment over his mother's demotion, the Crown Prince harbored deep hatred for Qing Moyan.
He feared that Qing Moyan, now favored by the Emperor, posed a significant threat to his own position as heir, leaving him restless and unable to sleep at night. As Qing Moyan departed the prison, an unusual celestial phenomenon appeared in the sky. Far away in the modern world, Ru Xiaolan's grandfather observed the same strange omen, understanding it to signify the imminent emergence of the Gu King.
Recognizing that it was time for Ru Xiaolan, the Soul-Resisting Cat, to fulfill her destiny, he decided to leave the modern era. Meanwhile, Ru Xiaolan attempted to cook a special meal for Qing Moyan to celebrate their monthly anniversary, but her culinary efforts resulted in a disastrous outcome. Chang Hen and Xuan Yu, upon seeing the charred remains, joked darkly about Qing Moyan's impending "death anniversary."
Qing Moyan, however, was touched by Ru Xiaolan's effort and bravely tried her dish, causing her to apologize for the unexpected difficulty of her grandpa's simple-looking recipe. During their tender interaction, Qing Moyan recalled Qingfeng's words and inquired about her grandpa's Yin Yang magic, specifically asking who taught him. Ru Xiaolan replied that her grandfather was self-taught, having no master. Suddenly, Wusi, the Noble Consort's master, appeared in her prison cell.
The Noble Consort pleaded with him to save her son, the Crown Prince. Wusi sternly rebuked her, stating that she was experiencing the consequences of her own selfish actions, particularly for killing Qing Huan, and this was her karma. The Crown Prince, who was also present, was visibly surprised by Wusi's unexpected appearance. Later, while walking through the city streets, Xuan Yu asked Chang Hen about her future plans.
Chang Hen confessed that her heart belonged to someone in Dali Temple, and thus, she intended to remain there indefinitely. Xuan Yu, misinterpreting her words, became secretly pleased, believing Chang Hen harbored romantic feelings for him. The Crown Prince then intercepted Qing Moyan on the street and extended an invitation for him and Ru Xiaolan to join him for drinks.
Having obtained 'gu-luring' powder from Wusi, the Crown Prince secretly laced the wine, intending to activate Qing Moyan's poison and arrest him under a legitimate pretext. However, Ru Xiaolan explained that a doctor had forbidden Qing Moyan from consuming alcohol and bravely volunteered to drink in his place, thereby inadvertently saving Qing Moyan from the Crown Prince's trap.
Afterward, Ru Xiaolan presented Qing Moyan with a drawing depicting the two of them as an old couple, living in seclusion in the mountains, surrounded by their children. Deeply moved by her vision of their future together, Qing Moyan declared his intention to seek the Emperor's permission to marry her.
Episode 20 Recap
The Prince reported to Wusi that his plan to have Qing Moyan drink the poison-laced wine had gone awry, as Ru Xiaolan had consumed it instead, leaving Qing Moyan untouched. He worried that their efforts were in vain and that Qing Moyan and Ru Xiaolan's relationship was beyond repair. Wusi, however, remained unfazed, having anticipated Qing Moyan's caution.
He explained that Qing Moyan, being suspicious of the Prince and wary due to his own poison curse, would not have easily drunk the wine. Ru Xiaolan, on the other hand, though often suspicious, still believed in the Prince, making her the ideal target. Wusi admitted to using the Prince as a crucial part of his strategy to eliminate the King of Poison.
He further revealed that he had added another medicine to the wine, which would cause Ru Xiaolan's body to emit a scent that attracted the King of Poison, thus forcing the King of Poison within Qing Moyan to activate. This, Wusi insisted, was the only viable method to prevent the King of Poison from fully awakening and jeopardizing the world, thereby also saving Ru Xiaolan's life.
Later, as Ru Xiaolan and Qing Moyan shared a sweet moment, sketching their future together as an old couple, Qing Moyan suddenly convulsed, his poison curse violently breaking out. He began to lash out, injuring those around him. Ru Xiaolan desperately tried to reach him, crying out that she was his Xiaolan, but he struggled against her, seemingly losing his mind. Just as Qing Moyan was about to harm Ru Xiaolan, Wusi intervened, stopping his rampage.
Qing Moyan soon regained consciousness, looking around at the fallen figures and realizing with profound guilt that he was responsible for their injuries. Ru Xiaolan awoke to find Wusi, her long-lost grandfather, standing before her. Overjoyed, she embraced him, thinking she was in a dream but quickly realizing his presence was real. She expressed how much she missed him, explaining that she had been trapped in this world and unable to return home.
Pleading with her grandfather, she begged him to save Qing Moyan, her love, who was in grave danger. Wusi, however, brusquely dismissed her pleas, telling her to stop thinking about Qing Moyan and promising to take her home once their mission was accomplished. Confused and distraught, Ru Xiaolan questioned why Wusi refused to help Qing Moyan. Wusi then explained the true purpose of her presence in this world.
He revealed that she was brought here because the world faced a grave threat from the King of Poison. This entity, he warned, was about to break out and would wipe out everyone, including the Prince, Chang Hen, and the leader of Dali Temple, if not stopped. Ru Xiaolan continued to implore him to save Qing Moyan, believing he could be rescued.
Wusi then delivered a grim truth: the only way to be liberated from the King of Poison was to destroy its host. When Ru Xiaolan realized this meant killing Qing Moyan, who harbored the King of Poison within him, she was horrified. Wusi asserted that if they did not eliminate him now, not only would civilians be harmed, but Qing Moyan himself would eventually be overwhelmed and die from the King of Poison's unchecked growth.
He pressed her not to let "meaningless emotions judge your Soul-resisting Cat" self. Unwilling to accept Qing Moyan's fate, Ru Xiaolan desperately tried to break free from the enchantment Wusi had placed around her, attempting to use her Yin Yang magic and summon her mahogany sword. However, her efforts were futile against Wusi's powerful spell, which he declared rendered all such magic useless in that room.
He told her that her individual love could not outweigh the fate of the entire world. He promised that if they successfully suppressed the King of Poison, he would take her to any world she desired. Ru Xiaolan confronted Wusi, accusing him of manipulating her and setting her up, realizing she was merely a tool brought to this world to destroy Qing Moyan.
She adamantly declared that she would never listen to him regarding this matter and would protect the one she loved. Seeing her resolve, Wusi relented, handing her a five-colored stone. The stone triggered a flood of memories, revealing her past life. It was then revealed that Ru Xiaolan's true form was the Soul-resisting Cat, the natural nemesis of the King of Poison.
In a desperate battle against the King of Poison in a previous era, Ru Xiaolan, in her cat form, had fallen from a cliff. With the King of Poison about to kill Wusi, a woman named Qing Huan stepped forward. Despite Wusi's warnings and concern for her child, Qing Huan sacrificed herself, using her own blood to seal the King of Poison. On her deathbed, she entrusted her child to Wusi's care.
Wusi discovered that the King of Poison had, in fact, taken refuge within Qing Huan's infant son, Qing Moyan. He performed a temporary sealing ritual to contain the King of Poison within the child, noting that its power was growing and he could only hold it back for a while. Years later, Wusi found Ru Xiaolan, reincarnated in the modern world, and raised her, renaming her Ru Xiaolan.
He then brought her to this world, intending for her to fulfill her destiny as the Soul-resisting Cat and defeat the King of Poison. Overwhelmed by this revelation, Ru Xiaolan was deeply saddened to realize her grandfather had been using her all along. Wusi then presented her with the Soul-resisting Sword, indicating that it was time for her to face her duty.
Later, the Prince introduced Wusi to the Emperor, defending his earlier actions against Qing Moyan by claiming Qing Moyan had gone berserk at Dali Temple and was about to harm Ru Xiaolan. Wusi confirmed to the Emperor that the King of Poison resided within Qing Moyan. The Emperor, surprised by Wusi's return after two decades, initially refused to believe that the King of Poison, which he thought had been eliminated, could reappear and demanded that Wusi explain himself.
Wusi clarified that the King of Poison had not been destroyed but sealed by Qing Huan and had been dormant within Qing Moyan since birth. As Qing Moyan grew, so did the King of Poison, and it now posed an imminent threat to the world. He reminded the Emperor of the previous outbreak that caused widespread devastation and famine, compelling him to choose between his son and his people.
The Emperor, though unwilling to harm his child, was left with no choice but to agree. The Prince then inquired about his own poison curse. Wusi explained that the Prince's curse was merely a fragment of the King of Poison and would become non-fatal once the main entity was eliminated. However, to completely extinguish the curse and prevent future flare-ups, the Prince would need to live with the Soul-resisting Cat for years, as its scent offered temporary relief.
Wusi concluded by stating that it was Ru Xiaolan's decision whether or not to stay. Meanwhile, rumors spread through the city about Qing Moyan's madness and his imprisonment in the dungeon for harming people. Ru Xiaolan, deeply worried, attempted to escape Wusi's enchantment to reach him. When she failed, Wusi led her to the imperial prison. He showed her Qing Moyan in his cell, consumed by the King of Poison's power, to illustrate the danger.
From within his cell, Qing Moyan, struggling with his last vestiges of consciousness, warned Ru Xiaolan to stay away from him, fearing he would hurt her and others. He confessed that he had little time left before turning into a monster, forgetting her entirely. In response, Ru Xiaolan tearfully declared her love for him.
Episode 21 Recap
Wusi led Ru Xiaolan to the dungeon, where she witnessed Qing Moyan in a violent fit from the poison curse, killing those around him. Wusi explained that Qing Moyan was beyond saving. Ru Xiaolan tried to approach, but Qing Moyan, in a moment of clarity, warned her to stay away. When she persisted, he lashed out, injuring her, but Wusi quickly intervened with a demon-suppressing spell and pulled her to safety, urging her to leave before she was further harmed.
Back home, Ru Xiaolan was deeply distraught, struggling to comprehend Qing Moyan's transformation. Wusi elaborated, explaining that the King of Poison's strength was increasing, and it would soon awaken and completely consume Qing Moyan. He revealed their symbiotic relationship, meaning Qing Moyan would die if the King of Poison were destroyed.
To eliminate the King of Poison, a blood sacrifice was required, and since no one could contain it once fully awakened, it had to be destroyed while still within Qing Moyan. Wusi told Ru Xiaolan that she was the only one who could end this cycle of misery for good. Exhausted, Ru Xiaolan asked Wusi to leave her alone.
Later, Wusi visited Qing Huan's tomb, expressing deep regret for his inability to save her son, Qing Moyan, who now faced a similar destiny to hers. He apologized, stating that despite the pain, the miserable cycle of reincarnation must be stopped by completely destroying the King of Poison. Meanwhile, Princess Liuyang, having learned of Qing Moyan's imprisonment, hurried to confront Ru Xiaolan.
Ru Xiaolan, overwhelmed with despair, confessed her desire to save him and escape with him, but felt trapped by the stringent guards. As she spoke, an idea sparked, and she transformed into her cat form, asking Princess Liuyang to hide her in her sleeve and carry her out of the palace.
Princess Liuyang, surprised by Ru Xiaolan's transformation into a cat, warned her to be discreet and succeed in her mission, emphasizing that her help was solely for Qing Moyan's sake. The Crown Prince, while walking through the palace gardens, saw some peaches and was reminded of his first encounter with Ru Xiaolan.
He recalled Wusi’s words that to suppress his own poison curse, he needed to live with a Soul-Resisting Cat for many years, as its scent could temporarily relieve the curse. He mused that living with Ru Xiaolan for the rest of his life seemed acceptable. News soon reached him that something was wrong with Qing Moyan, who had demanded to see him. When they met, Qing Moyan, concerned for Ru Xiaolan, immediately asked about her whereabouts.
The Crown Prince assured him that Ru Xiaolan was safe with Wusi and that he would never allow Qing Moyan to harm her again. Recognizing Wusi as Ru Xiaolan's missing grandfather, Qing Moyan then confronted the Crown Prince, questioning why his poison curse had returned despite his efforts to suppress the King of Poison, suspecting a conspiracy. The Crown Prince admitted that sacrificing Qing Moyan to kill the King of Poison was for the greater good of the people.
He further revealed that Wusi would erase Ru Xiaolan's memories of Qing Moyan, allowing her to live with the Crown Prince forever, safe from Qing Moyan's potential harm. Qing Moyan vehemently objected, asserting that Ru Xiaolan would never forget him and vowed to control the King of Poison himself. As the poison curse began to manifest, he urged everyone to leave quickly before he lost control.
With his final ounce of lucidity, Qing Moyan pleaded with the Crown Prince to protect Ru Xiaolan, ensuring her happiness and preventing her from shedding any tears. Princess Liuyang escorted Ru Xiaolan to meet the Junior Prince, and together they devised a plan to rescue Qing Moyan. Ru Xiaolan, disguised as a soldier, infiltrated the dungeon and successfully freed Qing Moyan.
Upon discovering Ru Xiaolan’s escape, the Crown Prince suspected Princess Liuyang's involvement and ordered a full-scale search for Ru Xiaolan. With the assistance of Princess Liuyang and the Junior Prince, Ru Xiaolan and Qing Moyan managed to escape the city. The Crown Prince, hesitant to harm Ru Xiaolan, initially refused to order his archers to fire. However, his subordinates persuaded him to prioritize the safety of the realm over his personal feelings.
Just as he was about to give the command, Wusi materialized, blocking the pursuit. He declared that the Soul-Resisting Cat must not be harmed, reassuring the Crown Prince that despite their escape, Ru Xiaolan and Qing Moyan would remain under his control. Wusi, using Yin and Yang magic and focusing on the Five-Color Stone Ru Xiaolan wore, successfully located their position in the mountains.
Ru Xiaolan and Qing Moyan continued their flight, hoping to find a place to live in seclusion. They spent the night in a cave. In the morning, Ru Xiaolan awoke to find Qing Moyan gone. Worried, she called out to him, but he soon reappeared, having gathered firewood. Qing Moyan confided in her, expressing his fear of losing control as the King of Poison's power grew.
He urged her to leave him to avoid harm to both her and innocent civilians. Ru Xiaolan defiantly refused, promising to find a way to save him, reminding him that her scent gland and blood could restrain the King of Poison. Qing Moyan countered that these were only temporary solutions. Ru Xiaolan then proposed they find an uninhabited island where they could live without fear or external worries.
She declared her fear not of death or being hurt by him, but of a life without him. Qing Moyan simply replied, "I know." She then made him promise not to leave her without a word, expressing her deep fear of abandonment. Meanwhile, Xuan Yu, upon learning that the Crown Prince had dispatched troops to pursue Qing Moyan, decided to join the search to fight alongside his friend.
Chang Hen expressed concern for his safety, which Xuan Yu misinterpreted as romantic affection, thanking her for her supposed feelings. Chang Hen, frustrated by his misunderstanding, embraced him and insisted on accompanying him, much to Xuan Yu's bemusement. The Crown Prince and Wusi eventually arrived on the mountain. Wusi, having already struck a deal with Qing Moyan regarding Ru Xiaolan, handed Qing Moyan a charmed red rope that would immobilize Ru Xiaolan's magic.
Ru Xiaolan was shocked to see them and pleaded with Wusi to spare Qing Moyan, guaranteeing that the King of Poison would not harm anyone. Qing Moyan, however, had resigned himself to his fate, understanding that he would eventually lose control and hurt Ru Xiaolan and others. He confessed his love for her, then, telling her she had to listen to him this time, he placed the charmed red rope on her wrist.
When Ru Xiaolan tried to use her magic to prevent them from taking Qing Moyan, she found herself immobilized. In desperation, she grabbed a knife, intending to injure herself to extract her scent gland, which she revealed could completely suppress the King of Poison. Wusi immediately intervened, exclaiming that she would lose her life if she did so.
Ru Xiaolan declared her life a worthy sacrifice for Qing Moyan, prompting him to stop her, annoyed that she was causing trouble until the very end. At that moment, Wusi exclaimed that the King of Poison had awakened.
Episode 22 (Ending) Recap
Qing Moyan, realizing he was losing control, expressed his love for Ru Xiaolan, stating that he didn't have much time and would soon turn into a monster, harming not only her but also many innocent people. Just as he tried to stop Ru Xiaolan from harming herself, his Gu poison flared up, and the King of Poison possessed him, making him lose all consciousness.
The King of Poison, now out of control, tried to kill Ru Xiaolan, but Wusi intervened, forcing the King of Poison to flee. Ru Xiaolan was then taken away, where Wusi addressed her as his granddaughter, claiming he was acting to protect her. He then chanted an incantation for emotions and memories to fade. Ru Xiaolan remained unconscious and had a strange dream.
In her dream, she played happily, but then watched helplessly as Qing Moyan suddenly moved away from her, leaving her distraught and calling his name. Upon waking, Ru Xiaolan had lost her memory, reverting to her form as the Soul-Resisting Cat. She recognized only Wusi, addressing him as "Master Wusi," to which he responded, "Soul-Resisting Cat, here you are finally." She confirmed her allegiance, oblivious to the Prince or Qing Moyan.
Wusi was pleased that she had regained her Soul-Resisting Cat identity, declaring it was time for her to fulfill her mission. The Prince, seeing her, called out "Miss Ru," but Ru Xiaolan responded, "Who the hell are you?" When a guard reprimanded her for disrespecting the Prince, she declared, "I only know my master in this world. You have nothing to do with me, no matter if you are a prince or the emperor."
The Prince, distressed, questioned how she could be like this, saying he would remember her even if she forgot him. Ru Xiaolan, however, told him to forget her as his memories of her were meaningless. She firmly stated, "I am a Soul-Resisting Cat and my ambition is to eliminate the King of Poison. Don't ever bother me again."
The Prince was deeply saddened by her unfamiliarity and felt immense guilt, recalling Qing Moyan's plea to "Please stay with Xiaolan and protect her. Don't upset her. Don't let her shed tears. Try your best to make Xiaolan laugh just like before." Ru Xiaolan investigated the King of Poison's whereabouts. She reported to Wusi that the King of Poison was hiding on Mt. Xianyang, needing time to revive but growing stronger, urging them to act swiftly.
Wusi agreed and gave orders to prepare for departure the next morning, also instructing Yi Sheng to set an ambush. Meanwhile, Chang Hen and Xuan Yu spotted Ru Xiaolan, noting her familiar appearance but different hair color. They called out to her, asking about Qing Moyan and what was happening. Ru Xiaolan, however, stated, "Who are you? I don't know you guys," and dismissed them, adding, "I don't know any Qing Moyan." Wusi and Ru Xiaolan proceeded to Mt. Xianyang.
Wusi pointed out Qing Moyan, proclaiming, "I let loose of you two decades ago. I will take you out this time." He then set up a charm shaft around the King of Poison to reduce his power and instructed Ru Xiaolan, "Soul-Resisting Cat, it's time for you to take action." She readily agreed.
As Ru Xiaolan approached, Qing Moyan, not yet completely consumed by the King of Poison, recognized her and warned, "Xiaolan, don't come close; otherwise, I will hurt you." Despite his warning, Ru Xiaolan charged into the formation and engaged him in combat, but she was not his equal. Wusi observed the fight, forbidding anyone from interrupting, emphasizing that anyone entering the charm shaft risked their life and only the Soul-Resisting Cat could restrain the King of Poison.
Meanwhile, Chang Hen and Xuan Yu arrived, surprised to see Ru Xiaolan fighting Qing Moyan. Chang Hen identified the formation as Master Wusi's, and Xuan Yu resolved to destroy it. Wusi, realizing his charm shaft was broken, immediately ordered Chang Hen and Xuan Yu arrested. Xuan Yu urged Chang Hen to leave, offering to protect her, but Chang Hen refused to abandon him.
Qing Moyan, unwilling to hurt Ru Xiaolan, primarily defended himself, even uttering, "I will never let you go," seemingly torn. Ru Xiaolan seized an opportunity, delivering a severe blow to Qing Moyan. At that precise moment, as Qing Moyan called out her name, "Xiaolan, I. . ." , Ru Xiaolan's memories flooded back, including a moment where Qing Moyan once told her that in her dimension, loving couples exchanged waistbands, and another playful memory of him teasing her.
Ru Xiaolan, recovering her memories, tearfully apologized to Qing Moyan. He reassured her, "It's okay." Wusi, seeing the King of Poison threatening to awaken, was alarmed. Qing Moyan urged Ru Xiaolan, "Xiaolan, you have to listen to me. Kill me! Destroy me! Hurry up!" but she adamantly refused. Wusi then realized that Ru Xiaolan was attempting to draw the King of Poison into her own body, a sacrifice similar to Qing Huan's.
Qing Moyan, realizing her intent, desperately asked, "What are you doing?" Ru Xiaolan explained, "Remember I said before. I will find a way to cure your poison curse." She added, "I have been doing well as a pet and a scent bag, right?" Qing Moyan, heartbroken, pleaded, "You don't have to do this. Kill me instead!" Ru Xiaolan confessed her regret, "I should kill the King of Poison two decades ago.
If I did what I had to do, you could have avoided your misery." She then spoke of her unfulfilled desires with him, "I want to go boating with you and enjoy the light show with you, and enjoy the fish and chips with you, and live with you. . . And getting old with you. . ." Qing Moyan cried out, "That's impossible."
He frantically asked what she was doing, reminding her, "You promised me that you wouldn't let me die alone." With a resolute, "I will die in front of you," Ru Xiaolan drew her sword and sacrificed herself, transferring the Gu poison into her own body and eliminating the King of Poison. Qing Moyan cried out "No!" and "Xiaolan!" as her body began to dissipate into light.
He held her close, distraught, calling her an "idiot" and asking why she would do this. He repeated her name in despair as she faded away. One year after the King of Poison crisis was resolved, life resumed, but Qing Moyan remained unable to forget Ru Xiaolan. His subordinate informed him that he had fully recovered from his illness and would no longer need medicine, urging him to prepare for a visit to the palace.
Qing Moyan agreed to leave shortly. Chang Hen confided in Xuan Yu that while Sir Qing's body had recovered, his spirit was still stuck on the day Ru Xiaolan disappeared. Xuan Yu playfully complained about his wrist hurting, and Chang Hen offered acupuncture, noting he was fine moments later. Chang Hen then rushed to get Qing Moyan, remarking on his slowness. Qing Moyan, lost in thought, remembered Ru Xiaolan excitedly asking for two fried fish.
He was jolted back to reality by his subordinate asking if he was alright, to which he replied, "It's nothing." In the palace, Qing Moyan requested to resign from his position as Vice Minister of Dali Temple, stating he was "so confused about something" and needed time to figure it out. The Emperor, recognizing that Ru Xiaolan was the cause of his distress, regretfully approved his resignation, acknowledging that their father-son relationship would not be mended.
The Prince then bid farewell to Qing Moyan, asking if he was going to find Miss Ru, to which Qing Moyan affirmed. The Prince noted it would be a long journey but assured Qing Moyan that he had instructed Chang Hen to prepare medicine for him when the Ghost Weed matured. Qing Moyan thanked him and took his leave.
The Prince then shared words of encouragement, recalling Wusi's belief that Ru Xiaolan was no ordinary person, and her soul would not simply vanish but might have reincarnated. He acknowledged that Wusi himself took decades to find her previously, but expressed his strong conviction that Qing Moyan would find her. After Qing Moyan's departure, the Prince's Gu poison began to act up, and he gazed absently at a peach tree, lost in memories of his first encounter with Ru Xiaolan.
As Qing Moyan walked along a street, he heard Ru Xiaolan's voice calling out his name and saw her silhouette. Suddenly, a flash of light enveloped him, and he found himself transported to a modern era. He again heard Ru Xiaolan's voice and, looking around, saw a newborn baby nestled among a group of cats. Memories of their past together flooded his mind, and he smiled with relief, recognizing the child as his beloved Ru Xiaolan, reborn.
