Legend of the Magnate Episode 19 Recap
> Legend of the Magnate Recap
Gu Pingyuan and Gu Pingwen arrived in the capital and made their way to the Sixth Prince's Mansion to attend the Grand Tea Competition. Unable to enter through the main gate because they lacked the required tokens, they sought an alternative route. At a side entrance, they encountered a dignified lady accompanied by her personal eunuch, An. Seizing the opportunity, Gu Pingwen loudly proclaimed that their Orchid Snow tea would undoubtedly be the champion of the competition.
Intrigued by the boast, the lady, later revealed to be Empress Dowager Cixi, invited them into the mansion. Once inside, they were again stopped by guards demanding 5,000 taels to proceed to the main competition hall. Gu Pingyuan, unwilling to be extorted, declined and began looking for another way to enter.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, various tea merchants, including those from Sichuan with their Emei green tea and the Li family from the capital showcasing their aged Golden Thread tea, were busy presenting their finest teas and elaborate tea ceremonies. Old Master Hu, for example, brought a tea tree to brew freshly picked leaves on the spot.
While strolling in the back garden, Cixi spotted Gu Pingyuan and Gu Pingwen and summoned them, eager to personally taste the Orchid Snow tea that Gu Pingwen had lauded. Gu Pingyuan presented his complete tea-making set and, noticing Cixi's noble bearing, respectfully asked Eunuch An to fetch water and charcoal from within the mansion.
When Cixi reached for the tea, Gu Pingyuan politely but firmly stopped her, explaining that any rouge or face powder on her hands or sleeves could affect the tea's delicate flavor. He assured her that once she properly tasted the Orchid Snow tea, she would understand his meticulousness. Cixi, intrigued by his discerning nature, put the tea down.
As Gu Pingyuan meticulously prepared the Orchid Snow tea, Cixi was captivated by its unique aroma and praised its exceptional quality, questioning why such a fine tea had never been offered as tribute before. Gu Pingyuan explained that their tea garden had been burned down during wartime. The subsequent regrowth of the tea trees, combined with the altered soil, gave the new tea a subtle orchid fragrance.
Furthermore, the seasoned tea master they employed used a century-old large iron wok, which, having been seasoned over time with pine needles during practice, imparted a distinct pine aroma to the tea. Gu Pingyuan then used this opportunity to voice his discontent about the Grand Tea Competition's true nature, describing it as merely a means to "rake in cash" through exorbitant entrance fees—3,000 taels for the first gate and 5,000 for the second.
He argued that the imperial court should use such events to genuinely support tea farmers and implement "benevolent policies for the people of Jiangnan" rather than exploiting them. Cixi, visibly impressed by his insight, ordered Eunuch An to record all of Gu Pingyuan's words to be presented to the Sixth Prince. Alarmed by the potential repercussions of his candid remarks, Gu Pingyuan nervously tried to retract his statements, claiming he was merely "venting his frustrations" as a commoner.
At this moment, the Sixth Prince's wife arrived, bringing tea for Cixi. Gu Pingyuan immediately recognized her as Su Zixuan in disguise and, noticing the tea's aroma was similar to his Orchid Snow, he loudly intervened, preventing Cixi from drinking it by claiming its fragrance clashed with his tea. Cixi, unfazed, set the tea aside and took the jar of Orchid Snow tea with her as she departed.
Gu Pingyuan, realizing he had inadvertently foiled an assassination attempt, felt a surge of unease. He hastily gathered his tea gear with Gu Pingwen, who, still unaware of the danger, wondered why Gu Pingyuan had stopped Cixi from drinking the tea. Gu Pingyuan vaguely explained his apprehension, stating that the woman "harms people wherever she goes." News of the Empress Dowager's unannounced visit to his mansion soon reached the Sixth Prince.
He rushed to the back garden, only to find she had already left. Upon learning that Cixi had drunk tea prepared by two young men, he immediately ordered an investigation to identify them. The Grand Tea Competition was abruptly halted, and all tea merchants were instructed to leave their samples and await further orders in their inns. Fearing Cixi's wrath, the Sixth Prince hurried to the palace to confess.
Cixi directly confronted him, pointing out that his true intentions for hosting the competition were not pure. The terrified Sixth Prince pleaded for mercy, blaming his subordinates. Cixi then offered him a cup of Orchid Snow tea, making her disapproval and the tea's superior quality clear. Back at their inn, Gu Pingyuan and Gu Pingwen were approached by Bao Qing, a military affairs officer, who extended an invitation from Qiao Song, the Governor of Anhui.
Despite never having met Governor Qiao, Gu Pingyuan agreed to attend the banquet. At the gathering, Governor Qiao greeted Gu Pingyuan with profound respect, acknowledging his recent interaction with Cixi.
Over drinks, Qiao Song confided in Gu Pingyuan about the dire military situation in the Northwest, where rebels were equipped with modern foreign firearms (breech-loading rifles firing five rounds with a 500-meter range every eight to nine seconds), while Qing soldiers still relied on archaic muzzle-loaded muskets (taking two minutes to load and having a range of only 100 meters).
He revealed that his order for 300 rifles had been pending for a year and implored Gu Pingyuan to help him acquire foreign firearms. Gu Pingyuan, recognizing Qiao Song's genuine concern for the people of Anhui, agreed to investigate the possibility if provided with the exact specifications. Meanwhile, Li Wantang had locked his son, Li Qin, inside their residence to prevent him from delivering his entry token to Gu Pingyuan.
Li Wantang explained to a bewildered Li Qin that Su Zixuan intended to poison Cixi at the competition. He then revealed Su Zixuan's tragic past: she was the only daughter of Lord Gong Deng, a Chief Grand Councillor, whom Cixi had executed. Li Wantang, whose family owed everything to Lord Gong, confessed they were merely his "household servants" and feared being implicated and branded "rebel remnants," which would lead to their family's total annihilation.
He sternly warned Li Qin against making impulsive, "loyal" mistakes. Li Qin then asked his father the name of Gu Pingyuan's tea, and Li Wantang confirmed it was Orchid Snow, noting that the Sixth Prince had been given some by Cixi. Later that night, Gu Pingyuan was startled awake by a figure in his room.
He initially mistook it for Gu Pingwen but soon realized it was Su Zixuan, who had come to exact revenge for him ruining her carefully laid plan to poison Cixi. She angrily accused him of being the "bane of her existence." Gu Pingyuan tried to reason with her, but she was consumed by her desire for vengeance for her father. After she left, he found an arrow, confirming the encounter was real and not a dream.
The following morning, an imperial envoy arrived to bestow upon Gu Pingyuan a golden plaque inscribed with "Top Tea Under Heaven," acknowledging the noble elegance of his Orchid Snow tea and his profound understanding of literature and principles. At the Anhui Tea Merchants' Association, other merchants mistakenly congratulated Old Master Hu, believing he had won the title.
Upon learning the truth, Old Master Hu dispatched Hou Er to invite Gu Pingyuan to become the head of their association, offering to personally apologize and kowtow. Hou Er, persistent and even weeping, eventually convinced Gu Pingyuan to accept. Gu Pingyuan, forgiving their past misunderstandings, stated he would visit Old Master Hu. He instructed Gu Pingwen to pack the tea samples and the plaque and wait for him at Tongheju Restaurant.
However, while sharing a cup of tea, Hou Er drugged Gu Pingyuan, causing him to lose consciousness. Later, Prince Gong arrived at the Anhui Tea Merchants' Association's lodging to meet Gu Pingyuan, only to be informed by Gu Pingwen that his brother had mysteriously gone missing.
