I'm a Pet At Dali Temple Episode 17 Recap
> I'm a Pet At Dali Temple 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.
