Lost Track of Time Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Lost Track of Time Synopsis
In the past life, Lu Anran was entrusted with the wrong person and lost everything.
Lu Anran is accidentally reborn, and in order to avenge her past life, she embarks on a path of revenge.
However, in her quest for revenge, there is one person who is always in love with her, and that person is the ninth prince, Mu Chuan.
Mu Chuan is not interested in the throne or power, but rather in the mountains.
After meeting Lu Anran, he decides to accompany her on her quest for revenge.
Although they are in the prison of imperial power, they still put their hearts on all the people and eventually save them from the disaster.
Lost Track of Time Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In the second month of the third year of Jinghe, in Hanjing City, Mu Ze ruthlessly pursued the throne, causing countless deaths. Lu Anran, who had walked this path with him, became his accomplice, ultimately setting herself ablaze in a fiery inferno. A decade earlier in Su City, Lu Anran, the young mistress of the Lu family shipping business, disguised as a young man, successfully tested an improved mine on her family's boat.
Made with cows' bladders to prevent leaks, these new "River Dragons" were more explosive than previous designs, ensuring no river robbers dared to cause trouble on her waterways. Soon after, she encountered a boat being robbed by river bandits. Using her newly developed River Dragons, she successfully drove them away. She nearly fell into the river but was caught by one of the merchants from the rescued boat.
Recognizing his martial prowess, Lu Anran, who initially thought he was from a martial arts club, tried to recruit him or his master to train her sailors, but was politely declined. As Lu Anran departed, the merchant's attendant, Mr. Cai, identified her as Lu Anran, the daughter of the biggest business in Su City, by the double fish patterns on her boat's sails. The merchant she saved was, unbeknownst to her, the Second Prince, Mu Ze.
Sneaking back home, Lu Anran was caught by her mother, Shen Lanxi, the First Madam of the Lu Family. Shen Lanxi playfully chided her daughter for her unladylike activities but also showed affection. Lu Anran enthusiastically shared her vision of tunneling through a gorge to create a channel between the South and Great Han, promising to double shipping speeds and halve costs. Her younger brother, Lu Yun, soon returned home with a bruised eye from a fight.
Though Shen Lanxi worried about him fighting, Lu Anran supported Lu Yun's stance, declaring, "If you don't mess with me, I won't do it back. If you mess with me, I will do it hundred times more harshly in return." The Second Madam, Liu Mingyu, and her daughter, Lu Xinran, then arrived. Liu Mingyu complained that Lu Yun only cared for martial arts and not studying, fearing for his future role in the family.
Lu Anran, however, defended Lu Yun, affirming his ambition to become a great general and confidently stated that the Lu Family still had her to rely on. As tomorrow was Lu Anran's coming-of-age ceremony, her mother sent her to rest. In her room, Lu Anran admired the exquisite satin dress prepared by Liu Mingyu but lamented that her mother, whose cough had worsened, might not be able to attend the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Mu Ze, having sent a river map of Dayu Country to Lu Qingzhou, Lu Anran's father, was informed that Lu Qingzhou declined it. He reiterated his daughter's sentiment that no map, however good, could compare to personally traversing the land. This only increased Mu Ze's admiration for Lu Anran, and he resolved to meet her himself.
On the day of Lu Anran's coming-of-age ceremony, Lu Qingzhou presented her with the ancestral Twin Fish Order, declaring that all 36 port fleets were now hers to command. He wanted the world to know that the Lu family would always be her strong backing, even after she married.
Lu Ting, the Second Master of the Lu family, attempted to speak out on behalf of Lu Yun, arguing that a son should lead, but Lu Yun himself championed Lu Anran’s contributions to the family business. Liu Mingyu subtly signaled Lu Ting to drop the issue and publicly expressed her trust that Lu Anran would always care for their family.
Lu Anran then addressed the assembly, emphasizing the strong bonds among the Lu siblings and stating that their shared goal was to manage the family enterprise to benefit many, ensuring that everyone would prosper with her. Developing a rash, Lu Anran excused herself from the banquet early. Mu Ze, seizing the opportunity, approached her in the back garden. While concealing his true identity, he impressed Lu Anran with his insightful views on flood control, distinguishing between natural and man-made disasters.
He argued for prevention through hydraulic engineering and river rebuilding over mere relief, linking this approach to the Lu family's integration of the 36 ports. Though Lu Anran expressed distrust of the court, she appreciated his deep understanding. Mu Ze then presented her with a flower box as a birthday gift and personally applied some Yurong Cream to soothe her itching. When she inquired about his name, he cryptically promised to tell her "next time."
Back in the main hall, Lu Qingzhou politely but firmly declined any collaboration with Prince Qing through Mr. Cai, stating his desire for his family's peace and his reluctance to be drawn into royal disputes. Lu Anran, hoping to see the "little bodyguard," waited outside, but he had already left. She was disappointed when Mr. Cai informed her that they would depart Su City the next day.
Later, a group of farmers sought out Lu Anran, complaining about a young man pulling up their rice seedlings. Lu Anran rushed to the fields and found the Ninth Prince, Mu Chuan, systematically uprooting the crops. Initially misinterpreting his actions as vandalism by a rich playboy, Lu Anran was prepared to have him thrown into a pit.
However, Mu Chuan explained that the seedlings were diseased and, like human smallpox, would infect the entire farmland and render the harvest inedible if not immediately destroyed. Understanding the severity, Lu Anran promptly organized the villagers and her own men to pull up and burn the diseased seedlings. Mu Chuan, hearing of Lu Anran's efforts in redirecting waterways to irrigate vast fields, which had brought prosperity to the local people, expressed his deep admiration for her.
At the Flower Festival, Lu Xinran suggested that the "little bodyguard" might be there, prompting Lu Anran to attend. While watching a lantern show with her maid Lingxi on a crowded bridge, Lu Anran was accidentally pushed into the river. Mu Ze reappeared, catching her and landing her safely on a boat. As they floated along the river, Lu Anran learned his name was Mu Huaishu, and that he was the second among his siblings.
Mu Huaishu confessed his immediate love for her upon their first meeting. Lu Anran, affirming her disinterest in wealth or status, sealed their affection with a kiss. The next day, Lu Anran bid farewell to Mu Ze. As a token of engagement, he gave her his ancestral jade pendant, promising to stay with her for the rest of his life. Two months passed without a letter from Mu Ze, causing Lu Anran anxiety.
She frequently visited the wharf, hoping for news. There, she encountered Mu Chuan again, who, sensing her longing for a beloved, comforted her and expressed his hope that she would receive good news soon. Shortly after, an imperial decree arrived, formally bestowing marriage between the Lu family's first daughter, Lu Anran, and Prince Qing Mu Ze. Though initially unwilling to accept, Lu Anran ultimately complied to protect her family.
She then received a personal letter from Mu Ze, revealing that her beloved Mu Huaishu was, in fact, the Second Prince Mu Ze. He confessed to using his military exploits in the northern war to secure the imperial marriage, having wagered everything for a lifetime with her. Lu Qingzhou expressed doubts about Prince Qing's true intentions, but Lu Anran, convinced of Mu Ze's genuine affection, remained steadfast.
Her mother, Shen Lanxi, likened a woman's love to a gamble, unrelated to background, and noted that the outcome remained uncertain until the very end. Seeing Lu Anran's unwavering resolve, her parents ceased their objections. On her wedding day, Shen Lanxi’s illness took a critical turn. With the bridal sedan chair already at their gate, Lu Anran was distraught and reluctant to leave her mother's side. However, the auspicious timing for a royal wedding could not be delayed.
Lu Anran tearfully knelt before her mother, who was unconscious, and accepted her father's reassurance that he would take care of everything at home. She then stepped into the sedan chair, bound for Hanjing City. At that moment, Lu Anran believed her mother's sudden passing to be the greatest sorrow of her life, unaware that her journey to the capital would, with each step, unfold a scroll of fate in increasingly painful ways. As her sedan chair moved, a gust of wind lifted her veil, revealing the Ninth Prince, Mu Chuan, leading the procession.
Episode 2 Recap
Five years after her marriage to Mu Ze, Lu Anran's position as Princess Consort had solidified, yet the complexities of the imperial court continued to entangle her life. On her birthday, Prince Qing, Mu Ze, was absent, attending to state affairs. Lu Xinran expressed her discontent that Mu Ze had recently taken Xiao Jingque as a concubine, believing it was an affront to the Lu family.
However, Lu Anran understood Mu Ze's strategic choice to bring Xiao Jingque into the household due to General Xiao Ying's reputation as a brave and battle-wise military leader. She affirmed that as long as Mu Ze loved her, she was content with his chosen path to imperial power. Lu Anran, along with Lu Xinran, Lu Yun, and her son Yu, were celebrating when Xiao Jingque arrived, presenting a parrot as a birthday gift.
The parrot, however, spoke an insulting phrase, "Spring grasses rest after 5 years. There're no roads ahead now," which Lu Xinran immediately recognized as a taunt aimed at Lu Anran. Instead of directly punishing Xiao Jingque, Lu Anran noticed the expensive jewelry and fine silks Xiao Jingque wore, identifying them as gifts from various Hanjing officials, including icy jadeite from the Assistant Minister of Works's father-in-law and a golden hairpin from the Head of the Secretariat's Mansion.
She rebuked Xiao Jingque for openly accepting bribes, warning that such actions could implicate Mu Ze amidst a court investigation into corruption, with the Minister of Works being a prime target. Lu Anran ordered Xiao Jingque to return all the gifts, provide double their value in return, and confined her for a month for reflection.
Lu Xinran felt the punishment was too light, but Lu Anran explained that due to the Xiao family being Mu Ze's critical "right-hand man," her actions could only be a light touch. Meanwhile, Lu Yun, tired of being known only as Princess Qing's brother, expressed his desire to fight in Beilin to achieve recognition and become a strong supporter for his sisters.
Despite Lu Xinran's concerns about the danger, Lu Anran encouraged Lu Yun's ambition, and he vowed not to return without victory. Later that night, Mu Ze returned home, presenting Lu Anran with a box of fresh flowers as a belated birthday gift. Lu Anran appreciated him remembering her special day amidst his busy schedule. As the family, including Yu, enjoyed their reunion, a servant reported that Xiao Jingque had fainted.
Mu Ze and Lu Anran rushed to her, where a doctor announced Xiao Jingque was pregnant. Using her pregnancy as leverage, Xiao Jingque complained about her confinement. Lu Anran, seeing an opportunity to appear magnanimous, lifted the confinement order. However, Mu Ze did not stay with Xiao Jingque, choosing to leave with Lu Anran. Five months passed. Xiao Jingque, now visibly pregnant, was taking a walk when Yu, flying a kite, nearly tripped her. Enraged, Xiao Jingque struck Yu's hand.
Yu, crying, retorted with a childish threat against Xiao Jingque's unborn child, deeply unsettling her. Later that day, Lu Anran returned home from her work at the shipyard to a devastating scene: her son, Yu, had drowned. A maid, Mother Yun, tearfully explained that Yu had fallen into the pond while fishing. Another maid, Spring, then revealed she had seen a flustered Xiao Jingque fleeing from behind the rockery near the pond where Yu drowned.
Overwhelmed by grief and rage, Lu Anran grabbed a sword, determined to avenge her son, but was intercepted by Mu Ze upon his arrival. To protect Xiao Jingque for strategic reasons, Mu Ze orchestrated a cover-up. Lu Xinran was compelled by Mu Ze to falsely testify that she had seen Xiao Jingque at Moxuan Temple on the day of Yu's death, swearing on her future happiness and ability to have children to lend credence to her fabricated story.
Mu Ze then publicly declared Yu's death an accident due to Mother Yun's carelessness, claiming that Mother Yun and Spring had lied due to their close bond. He ordered both maids to be flogged to death. Privately, however, Mu Ze confronted Xiao Jingque in her chambers, accusing her of Yu's murder and pouring hot water on her hand as punishment.
He revealed that he knew the truth and that Lu Xinran's testimony was arranged by him to protect her, not because he cared for Xiao Jingque, but because he needed General Xiao Ying's military support. Mu Ze chillingly stated that he did not care about "losing a few children" but warned Xiao Jingque that she could not act without consequences. He then demanded "a price" for his protection, specifically the private soldiers that the Xiao family had amassed.
Xiao Jingque, terrified, immediately offered all her brother's secret soldiers to him. Mu Ze accepted, reiterating his warning not to provoke Lu Anran again, or he would not intervene. Back with Lu Anran, Mu Ze tried to comfort her, claiming Yu's death was an accident, but Lu Anran, witnessing his cold demeanor, questioned if he had ever truly loved Yu or even her. To escape her profound sorrow, Lu Anran buried herself in the shipyard, working tirelessly.
Five months later, she successfully completed the construction of the wheeled boat. Around the same time, Xiao Jingque gave birth to a son, filling the Prince's residence with celebratory excitement. Yet, Lu Anran found no joy and remained trapped in her grief. One day, while wandering alone in the garden, she encountered Mu Chuan, who was avoiding the festivities.
Mu Chuan, sensing her pain, offered her a silver bracelet he had received from an old monk, claiming it was for warding off evil and ensuring safety. He gently comforted her, sharing his own past experience of losing a loved one and encouraging her to live fully for those who are gone.
Mu Ze joined them shortly after and overheard Mu Chuan describing a girl he had fallen in love with at first sight—a quick-witted, ambitious woman whose eyes glowed when she spoke of her dreams. Mu Chuan expressed regret that he had waited too long, and she had since married another. Lu Anran advised Mu Chuan not to let similar opportunities slip away in the future.
Later that evening, seeking to mend their fractured relationship, Mu Ze released sky lanterns inscribed with prayers for Yu. Discovering Mu Ze's handwriting and finding a room filled with toys, some new and some of Yu's old ones, Lu Anran realized that he too grieved for their son. This revelation allowed her to forgive Mu Ze, and they reconciled, with Mu Ze assuring her that she was his only family.
He also shared news that Lu Yun had achieved a great victory and would be returning home in a few days. However, the joyous anticipation was short-lived. A new report arrived, stating that General Xiao Ying had returned victorious, but Lu Yun had tragically died. The report detailed that Lu Yun, after pursuing the enemy for thousands of miles, was ambushed and, despite fighting for seven days, succumbed to exhaustion. Only his helmet was recovered.
The news devastated Lu Anran, causing her to collapse. Doctors diagnosed her with an irregular pulse and severe depression, indicating that her condition was critical and could only be saved by "Wedelia wallichii Less," a rare blood ginseng that grew on shaded, damp cliffs. Mu Chuan, undeterred by the danger, immediately volunteered to search for it in Shixiu Mountain. Meanwhile, at court, General Xiao Ying publicly impeached Prince Yi, Mu Lin, accusing him of treasonous conduct.
He presented evidence that Prince Yi had instructed his uncle, General Qin Yekuo, to deliberately delay reinforcements, leading to General Lu Yun's death. Mu Ze further produced evidence found in Lu Yun's camp, proving Prince Yi had embezzled military funds, which was the true motive for withholding aid. Emperor Jing, enraged by his son's depravity, stripped Mu Lin of his title and confined him to his residence for life.
Mu Lin vehemently protested, accusing Mu Ze of framing him and arguing that Mu Ze, being of low birth and without a powerful mother, was unfit to be Crown Prince. The Emperor, overwhelmed by the chaos, collapsed. In the aftermath, Mu Ze sought out Empress Lin Wanzhen, his adoptive mother. He confided in her about his low-status birth mother and the indifference he faced growing up, acknowledging her pivotal role in raising him and Mu Chuan as her own.
The Empress, recognizing his long-standing ambition for the Crown Prince position, promised to persuade the Emperor to name an heir once he recovered. However, Mu Ze expressed his concern that General Qin had not been punished and Mu Lin's influence lingered. He feared that the Imperial Noble Consort might intercede on Mu Lin's behalf, potentially allowing him to regain power. Mu Ze pressed the Empress for further assistance, revealing his desire for more definitive action.
Episode 3 Recap
The Empress personally administered the medicinal soup to the gravely ill Emperor, leading to his sudden demise. During the Emperor's vigil, Mu Ze held Mu Chuan close, reminding him that in a world where family ties were few, only the two of them remained. Meanwhile, Lu Anran awoke from a month-long coma, having survived thanks to the blood ginseng that Mu Chuan painstakingly acquired for her.
Ling Xi, her maid, informed her that she had missed her younger brother Lu Yun's funeral. Lu Anran was overcome with grief, blaming herself for encouraging him to join the battle. Ling Xi clarified that Lu Yun was harmed by Prince Yi and Qin Yekuo, but reassured her that Mu Ze had already avenged him.
Ling Xi also revealed that the late Emperor had passed away three days prior, gravely ill from Prince Yi's provocations, and that Mu Ze was set to ascend the throne in three days. Upon hearing Mu Ze had returned, Lu Anran rushed to embrace him, barefoot. Mu Ze, filled with remorse, apologized for Lu Yun's death, admitting his own lack of foresight.
He vowed to protect Lu Anran and her family with his life, ensuring she would never again suffer such sorrow. Three days later, Mu Ze was crowned Emperor. He led the newly appointed Empress Lu Anran to his chambers to pay respects to his birth mother. There, he revealed that Consort Liang was not his true mother; rather, Consort Liang had used his birth mother to secure her own position before poisoning her and discarding her body in a well.
Mu Ze recounted witnessing this tragedy as a child, powerless to intervene. Despite his imperial power, he lamented being able only to retrieve her remains and erect a memorial tablet in his palace, unable to grant her a posthumous title or bury her in the ancestral temple.
Lu Anran comforted him, assuring him that their prayers during the Qingming and Cold Food festivals would bring his mother peace, and expressed her belief that he would become an emperor beloved by all. Three years into Emperor Jinghe's reign, on New Year's Eve, the Lu family gathered in the palace to celebrate the festival. Mu Chuan arrived with pear blossom fireworks, and even Mu Ze made time to join the festivities.
As they enjoyed the fireworks, Lu Anran joyfully revealed to Mu Ze that she was pregnant again. Mu Ze was overjoyed, believing their deceased son, Yu'er, had returned to them. Mu Chuan watched, a pang of envy in his heart. Two months later, the Empress Dowager mysteriously passed away, followed by Mu Ze's swift execution of Physician Jiang. Mu Chuan, who had been investigating the Empress Dowager's death, suspected foul play.
He confronted Mu Ze, questioning the rushed execution and Mu Ze's decision to bypass proper legal procedures and deny access to the prison. Mu Chuan pointed out that the Empress Dowager had always been in good health and her palace maids reported unusual symptoms before her death, leading him to suspect her meals had been tampered with.
He criticized Mu Ze for becoming a different person in just three years, breaking promises to Prince Yi's former followers, and making autocratic judgments that disheartened everyone. Enraged by Mu Chuan's insolence, Mu Ze confined him to his chambers, sternly reminding him that between brothers, the sovereign's authority came first. Despite her pregnancy, Lu Anran disregarded the guards' attempts to stop her and forced her way into Mu Chuan's room.
She knew that Mu Ze's severity meant Mu Chuan had uncovered something significant that violated the Emperor's taboos. Mu Chuan, not wanting Lu Anran to exert herself, finally admitted that Mu Ze was preventing him from thoroughly investigating the Empress Dowager's death. Lu Anran acknowledged Mu Ze's increasing ruthlessness since his ascension, admitting she could no longer deny the truth. Believing they were Mu Ze's last remaining family, she expressed hope that they could still bring him back.
Mu Chuan, however, urged her to prioritize her own safety should she encounter insurmountable obstacles. Back in her palace, Lu Anran confronted Mu Ze, accusing him of abandoning their fraternal bonds, disregarding right from wrong, and acting with dictatorial impunity. She questioned why he continued his merciless ways after achieving his imperial ambitions, and dared to suggest that the Empress Dowager's death, and even the late Emperor's, might be suspicious.
Mu Ze, infuriated, accused her of treating his affection as worthless and suspected her of having an illicit relationship with Mu Chuan, asking if her heart had changed when Mu Chuan gave her a bracelet. Lu Anran vehemently denied his accusations, swearing on her life her innocence with Mu Chuan. She then countered, accusing Mu Ze of hypocrisy, feigning affection, and discarding his youthful ideals and aspirations, declaring that he was the one who had changed most.
In a fit of rage, Mu Ze struck her and then threatened the safety of her entire Lu family, warning her to remember her duties as a subject's wife before speaking out of turn again. An advisor later reminded Mu Ze that river transport, the nation's lifeline, should be under imperial control, and that the Lu family's power in this area had become a "raging mountain flood" that needed to be contained.
He also pointed out that Lu Anran's actions during the Empress Dowager's funeral rites—delaying the burial due to a supposed conflict with the Buddha's birthday—indicated her suspicion of Mu Ze. He concluded that the Lu family posed a threat and must be eliminated. Later, Lu Anran encountered Xiao Jingque's son, Liner, who presented her with a paper rabbit. Recognizing the unique hopping mechanism, Lu Anran realized it was identical to the one her deceased son Yu'er had.
She immediately confronted Xiao Jingque, demanding to know if she was involved in Yu'er's death. Xiao Jingque, no longer concealing the truth, confessed that she killed Yu'er and that Mu Ze had known all along, viewing Lu Anran and her son as mere pawns, insignificant in his grand scheme. Xiao Jingque further revealed that the Lu family was being framed for smuggling arms to Beilin and was to be summarily executed.
At this point, Xiao Ying, who was present, corroborated the damning information. He told Lu Anran that Mu Ze had orchestrated Lu Yun's death and the sacrifice of the entire vanguard army to frame Qin Yekuo and overthrow Prince Yi, thereby securing his own path to the throne. Lu Anran rushed to the main hall, where Mu Ze was in the process of sentencing her family.
She burst in, demanding to know if the rumors of her family's execution were true. Mu Ze, after dismissing his ministers, faced her. Lu Anran asked him three crucial questions, demanding truthful answers sworn on his throne: Was he targeting the Lu family to seize their ports and fleet? Had he orchestrated the death of Lu Yun and the vanguard army? Did he know all along that Xiao Jingque was responsible for Yu'er's death?
Mu Ze admitted to all three, justifying his actions as necessary for the throne and national security. Heartbroken, Lu Anran smashed the jade token of love they had once exchanged, declaring that he loved his imperial power more than he loved her. She then turned and walked away. Amidst a heavy snowfall, Lu Anran collapsed in despair.
Her maid, Ling Xi, rushed to her side, weeping and begging for help for the Lu family, whose execution was scheduled for the next day. Lu Xinran, now the Lady Protector of the Nation, arrived. Ignoring Ling Xi's pleas, she revealed her cold-blooded betrayal: she had conspired with her Second Uncle to fabricate the evidence against the Lu family, orchestrating their downfall to align herself with the imperial family.
She cruelly boasted about her newfound power and Lu Anran's status as a disgraced former Empress. When Ling Xi bravely tried to defend Lu Anran, Lu Xinran fatally stabbed her. As Ling Xi lay dying, Lu Xinran delivered a final, devastating blow: she revealed that the walnut cakes Lu Anran had once given to her own mother were poisoned, and those cakes had originally been intended for Lu Anran herself. Thus, Lu Anran had unknowingly caused her mother's death.
The Lu family, forty-six members strong, were summarily executed. Mu Chuan was poisoned to death. In a final act of defiance and retribution, Lu Anran, clad in a crimson wedding dress, set herself ablaze in the Hanguang Palace. She reflected on her complicity in Mu Ze's bloody ascent to power and dedicated her self-immolation as a burial for all the innocent souls he had sacrificed, bitterly remarking on his ruthlessness in even eliminating his own brother. Suddenly, an explosion echoed.
Lu Anran lifted her head, seemingly on a boat, as Ling Xi called out, concerned that Lu Anran seemed dazed from the blast and worried about her upcoming Coming-of-age Ceremony the next day.
Episode 4 Recap
A sudden water mine explosion jolted Lu Anran awake, disoriented. Her servants, Shan Yue and Lingxi, fluttered around her, anxiously mentioning her hair-pinning ceremony was tomorrow. The realization struck Lu Anran with dawning horror: she had returned to the day before her ceremony. A servant reported river robbers attacking a ship ahead. Knowing it was Mu Ze's vessel, Lu Anran ordered a mine, declaring she had "somethings" to check, not a rescue in mind.
Consumed by hatred from her past life, she confronted Mu Ze, shouting, "I am going to kill you." Her desperate attempt to kill him confirmed it was no dream; she had indeed returned to the past. When Mu Ze questioned her hostile attack, Lu Anran coldly attributed it to poor visibility from the smoke, claiming she "got the wrong one." As she departed, Mu Ze and Mr. Cai observed her.
Mr. Cai recognized the Lu Family's double fish emblem on her ship and identified her as Lu Anran, Lu Qingzhou's daughter. He noted her extraordinary intelligence and arrogant demeanor, concluding she would likely lead the Lu family and would not be easily swayed. Mu Ze concurred, suggesting that if she were so easily won over, Prince Yi would not have faced repeated failures. Back at the Lu Mansion, Lu Anran's perspective had undergone a complete transformation.
Seeing her mother still alive, Lu Anran embraced her tightly, weeping, "Mom, I miss you." Her mother, surprised by the intensity of her daughter's emotion after only a few days apart, gently chided her. Later, seeing her brother Lu Yun return with bruises, Lu Anran knew he had been fighting at the martial arts club. This time, she strongly forbade him from continuing his training, instructing him to "Learn accounting from tomorrow.
Mull over how we bring the ships of the Lu Family to the world when you are free." When her mother and brother expressed surprise, reminding her of her previous encouragement for his martial arts, Lu Anran explained her new philosophy: "In this world, men can benefit civilians by not only safeguarding the country, but also carrying forward family business as businessmen who care about the world."
Concerned for her mother's prolonged illness, Lu Anran secretly instructed Lingxi to take the leftover herbal medicine dregs to an outside doctor for examination, emphasizing secrecy. She also ordered Lingxi to monitor all of her mother's food and ensure it passed a silver needle test, vowing to herself to protect her mother from harm this time. Soon after, Lu Anran met Liu Mingyu and her daughter, Lu Xinran.
Lu Anran subtly spoke of a dream where the Lu family faced annihilation, concluding that this time, reality "must be opposite." Internally, she vowed to protect her family and prevent them from being embroiled in royal conflicts. When Lingxi admired an exquisite suit Liu Mingyu had prepared for Lu Anran's upcoming ceremony, Lu Anran, recalling a past life where she developed a rash from such a dress, sarcastically mused about Liu Mingyu's "scrupulous" nature.
She then instructed Lingxi to give the beautiful suit to Lu Xinran. The next day, at her Coming-of-age Ceremony, Lu Anran saw Lu Ting expressing his disapproval of a woman heading the Lu family. Her father, Lu Qingzhou, publicly announced that he would pass the Twin Fish Token to Lu Anran, declaring her the master of the Lu family's thirty-six ports and its sole heir. Lu Anran, in turn, pledged, "Dad. I swear to protect the Lu Family."
When Lu Ting tried to object again, Lu Anran preemptively cut him off, exposing how two of his ships had wrecked last month due to gross overloading and the unauthorized transport of large amounts of goods. Shan Yue corroborated this, confirming Lu Ting's greed and violation of safety protocols were the true cause. Enraged by his brother's disregard for human life, Lu Qingzhou publicly disowned Lu Ting, severing all ties between him and the Lu family.
Guards then escorted Lu Ting away. That evening, Lu Anran observed Lu Xinran conspiring with Mr. Cai. Later, Mu Ze appeared, claiming to be there to celebrate her birthday. He presented her with a gift, the Great Han River Map, hinting at her ambition. However, Lu Anran firmly rejected it, stating that the waterways were built by her fleets, and what she earned through hard work was more valuable than anything given.
When Mu Ze questioned her hostility, Lu Anran directly addressed him as "Your Highness Prince Qing," accusing him of lacking sincerity in seeking an alliance by concealing his true identity. Mu Ze acknowledged her sharp observation, and Lu Anran dismissed him without ceremony. Concerned that Lu Ting would not accept his expulsion, Lu Anran instructed Shan Yue to secretly monitor her second uncle for any schemes.
Meanwhile, Liu Mingyu, frustrated that her poisoned suit plan had backfired onto Lu Xinran, urged her daughter to maintain frequent contact with Mr. Cai, highlighting his status as Prince Qing's most trusted follower. She believed that a marriage alliance with Mr. Cai would grant Lu Xinran immense prospects and diminish Lu Anran's standing.
Although Lingxi found no issues with her mother's medicine or food, Lu Anran remained convinced that Liu Mingyu would inevitably try to harm her mother through other means, stating, "There will always be flaws in clothing, food, accommodation, and transportation." Soon after, Shan Yue reported that Lu Ting had been secretly meeting with Prince Yi's men and had harbored a notorious robber at the wharf.
Lu Anran deduced that her second uncle intended to frame her father with the capital crime of harboring a criminal, allowing Prince Yi to profit from the Lu family's downfall. She dispatched Shan Yue to covertly investigate the wharf, while she went to the state government to report the crime. However, the officials, bribed by Prince Yi, refused to accept her case. Cornered, Lu Anran sought out Prince Qing, Mu Ze.
She promised that as long as she remained in the Lu family, they would never ally with Prince Yi, and would consider his future requests if they benefited the common people, in exchange for his immediate assistance. Mu Ze agreed. True to his word, Prince Qing arrived at the wharf with state officials, stating the Lu family had reported a robber's presence. They searched Lu Ting's ships and apprehended the criminal, allowing the Lu family to escape the crisis unscathed.
Later, distressed villagers approached Lu Anran, complaining about someone uprooting rice seedlings. At the fields, Lu Anran recognized the man as Mu Chuan. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw him alive. She asked if he remembered her, and Mu Chuan replied, "That night, you tormented me hard." Lu Anran, however, insisted this was their first meeting since her return.
Mu Chuan explained that the rice seedlings were diseased and showed the villagers the spider web-like growths, convincing them to follow his instructions. Over dinner, Mu Chuan asked if she was the same person who had, in a tavern, mistaken him for a "heartbreaker" and almost taken his life with her hairpin, recounting how she had drunkenly accused him of destroying her family.
Realizing the extent of her drunken actions, which occurred during a prior encounter she could not remember, Lu Anran apologized. She then openly acknowledged him as "Ninth Prince," explaining her deduction was based on his ability to command the magistrate's attendants and his unusual devotion to agriculture. They both shared stories of "weirdos"—a prince who toiled in the fields to prevent starvation and a merchant who prioritized water conservation at great personal cost, subtly describing each other's virtues. Finding mutual appreciation, they toasted to being "weirdos" and chatted like long-lost friends.
Episode 5 Recap
Lu Anran and Mu Chuan were leaving a tavern when they witnessed a young woman, Holly, desperately trying to avoid being forced into prostitution by threatening to harm herself. Mu Chuan intervened, advising her to use a knife for protection, not self-destruction. Lu Anran then offered to buy Holly, outbidding another buyer with five thousand taels. Grateful, Holly insisted on becoming Lu Anran's servant, but Lu Anran gently refused, explaining she saved her for freedom, not servitude.
However, Mu Chuan observed that Holly, without a home to return to after her abusive adoptive father sold her, would be vulnerable if the pimp's client, Childe Gao, pursued her. Considering this, Lu Anran agreed to take Holly into her household. As they departed, Mu Chuan was surprised when Lu Anran correctly identified his proper title, "Rice Fragrance Hermit," leading him to remark on the rarity of finding a kindred spirit.
Back at the Lu Mansion, Lu Anran introduced Holly to Lingxi, instructing them to treat each other as sisters. Initially, Lingxi, feeling her position threatened, tried to assert seniority by detailing demanding chores for Holly. Lu Anran intervened, playfully scolding Lingxi and emphasizing that she valued them as family, not merely as servants or weapons. Lingxi then warned Holly about Second Daughter Lu and her mother, Liu Mingyu, accusing them of previously hiding poison in Lu Anran's clothes.
Both Lingxi and Holly passionately pledged their loyalty, offering to seek revenge. Lu Anran, however, reiterated her desire for them to be sisters, not "weapons," and asked them to abandon such thoughts. She then personally applied ointment to Holly's bruises, sustained from resisting the brothel. While doing so, Lu Anran noticed a distinct birthmark on Holly’s arm, prompting her to ask about Holly's past.
Holly, emotional, recounted how she was separated from her birth family during a flood and later abused by her gambling adoptive father. She remembered little of her parents' faces but clearly recalled her brother having his heart on the right side of his chest. Moved by her story, Lu Anran promised to help Holly find her family, affirming that within the Lu Mansion, they were now a supportive family.
Softened, Lingxi shared her cherished snacks with Holly, and the two began to bond. Later, as Madam Lu prepared to take her medicine, Lu Anran stopped her, still suspicious despite her mother's belief that Liu Mingyu was dutiful. Convinced that Liu Mingyu's plot could not be flawless, Lu Anran ordered Lingxi, Holly, and Yuzhu to search Madam Lu's room for any items sent by the Second Madam. After a fruitless search, Madam Lu wondered if her daughter was imagining things.
Lu Anran then spotted a Guanyin statue, also a gift from Liu Mingyu. Despite Lingxi's pleas against defiling a sacred object, Lu Anran smashed the statue, declaring her faith only in herself. Inside, she discovered pieces of achyranthes root. A doctor confirmed the herb's nourishing qualities but warned of its antagonistic interaction with certain medicines.
Upon examining Madam Lu's lung disease prescription, the doctor revealed that combining the achyranthes root with her cooling-property medicine would lead to severe coughing, trance-like states, and even death. Lu Anran was aghast, realizing Liu Mingyu's cruel stratagem: by concealing the root in a revered statue, she ensured Madam Lu's condition would worsen, while any blame for the illness's persistence would fall on medical treatments, leaving Liu Mingyu untouched.
Furious at her Second Auntie's treachery, Lu Anran resolved to replace the Guanyin statue for her mother. On the night of the Flower Festival, Lu Anran watched children release river lanterns and bought a rabbit lantern, secretly dedicating it to her son, Yu'er, who had passed away in her previous life. Mu Chuan joined her, recalling that she had spoken of someone named Yu during her drunken state and had even asked him to make a rabbit lantern.
Lu Anran, wishing to keep her past life a secret, feigned a casual explanation, claiming Yu was a pet rabbit that had drowned. Mu Chuan playfully teased her about her dedication to a pet rabbit, but Lu Anran's heart was heavy as she internally prayed for Yu'er's peaceful next life. Mu Chuan then released a lantern for his own deceased mother, prompting Lu Anran to comfort him with words he had once used to console her in her past life.
Mu Chuan affectionately called her a "wise old woman" and confirmed he had carved a rabbit lantern for Yu. He offered to retrieve it from his inn, asking Lu Anran to wait for him. While waiting, Lu Anran overheard a boatman explain that all the boats had been booked for the night by an "honored guest."
When she inquired if the guest's surname was Mu, the boatman confirmed it, adding that the booking was orchestrated to facilitate a special meeting with a girl. This realization struck Lu Anran forcefully: her past "fated" encounter with Mu Ze was no coincidence, but a meticulously planned deception, confirming his current presence nearby. Locating Mu Ze, Lu Anran overheard him discussing his machinations with Mr. Cai.
Mu Ze proudly explained how he had used Lu Anran's Second Uncle to manipulate her, asserting that once a woman falls in love, she becomes malleable. Hearing this, Lu Anran's heart ached with the painful truth that in both her previous life and this one, she had been a mere pawn in Mu Ze's calculated schemes. He had never truly loved her; their relationship had been an elaborate hoax from the start.
Rather than passively await his next move, Lu Anran resolved to seize the initiative. She deliberately recreated their past "fated" meeting by jumping into the river. As she was rescued by Mu Ze, she failed to see Mu Chuan, who arrived with the rabbit lantern, searching for her.
Following her staged rescue, Mu Ze was visibly impressed by Lu Anran's intelligence when she demonstrated to a child how to fold a paper boat that wouldn't sink, explaining the principles of naval architecture. He lauded her leadership of the Lu family and suggested she apply her talents to designing wheeled boats and warships for Great Han, promising the nation's gratitude. Lu Anran, seeing through his thinly veiled ambition, gracefully declined.
She stated that such projects required immense national resources, beyond the scope of a businesswoman whose primary responsibility was to the Lu family. Undeterred, Mu Ze accompanied her to the God of Love Temple. When Lu Anran repeatedly drew "luckiest tokens" from the fortune stick cylinder, she shrewdly confronted Mu Ze about her uncharacteristic luck.
Mu Ze, caught red-handed, openly admitted to rigging the sticks to win her favor, declaring his belief that "man can conquer nature" and that one must use all means to achieve one's desires. Lu Anran, now fully aware of his manipulative nature, declared her willingness to give him what he wanted, agreeing to marry him and become Princess Qing. Delighted, Mu Ze presented her with an ancestral jade pendant as an engagement token, vowing to spend their lives together.
Accepting the pendant, Lu Anran made it clear that their union would be a pragmatic partnership, devoid of any emotional attachment. Mu Ze accepted her terms and promised to formally propose the next day. Later, Mu Chuan visited Mu Ze, bringing rice cakes from his farm and playfully questioning why Mu Ze was not in Yizhou attending to official duties. Mu Ze praised the cakes and acknowledged Mu Chuan's dedication as "Rice Fragrance Hermit."
Mu Chuan then inquired about Mu Ze's reason for being in Su City. Mu Ze revealed it was a personal matter and announced that Mu Chuan would soon have a Second Sister-in-law. When asked for her identity, Mu Ze proudly named Lu Anran, the eldest daughter of the Lu family.
He explained that her mastery of Great Han's river transportation could help them achieve their shared dream of a peaceful and prosperous world, and praised her as a broad-minded woman worthy of a Princess. Mu Chuan, visibly shaken, nearly dropped his rice cake, asking if this was Mu Ze's sole reason. Mu Ze affirmed it. Trying to compose himself, Mu Chuan attributed his distress to his "fear of being hungry."
Mu Ze invited him to join the formal proposal the next day, but Mu Chuan declined, citing unfinished work in the farmland. That night, Mu Chuan sat alone in a field, clutching an unworn silver bracelet meant for Lu Anran. Tears streamed down his face. In despair, he flung the bracelet into the rice field, but unable to bear the loss, he retrieved it moments later.
Episode 6 Recap
The following morning, Cai Wangjin arrived at the Lu family estate with betrothal gifts, intending to propose marriage on behalf of Prince Qing, Mu Ze. Madam Liu, along with Lu Xinran, initially believed the proposal was for Lu Xinran and even had her invited. However, Cai Wangjin clarified that he was representing Prince Qing. Lu Anran then confidently stated that the proposal was for her.
Mu Ze, who had been disguised as Cai Wangjin's guard, revealed his true identity as Prince Qing. He declared that he and Lu Anran had fallen in love at first sight and were deeply compatible, formally requesting her hand in marriage from Lu Qingzhou and Madam Lu. Lu Qingzhou, though honored by the Prince's favor, emphasized that his daughter's choice was paramount.
Lu Anran publicly affirmed her willingness to marry Prince Qing, expressing her desire to walk through life with him, "through both honor and disgrace." Lu Qingzhou expressed his apprehension about Lu Anran marrying into Prince Qing's residence, fearing for her well-being. Lu Anran, however, showed her father a map, explaining the need to expand their river transport beyond the current thirty-six ports and to acquire more strategically located harbors before competitors.
When Lu Qingzhou voiced his desire for family peace over further expansion, Lu Anran reassured him. She asserted that like prey attracting predators, the Lu family's current position made them a target, and retreating would only provoke greater ambition from those in power. She assured him that she had a comprehensive plan to "completely escape this quagmire."
Lu Qingzhou, trusting his daughter's resolve, urged her to prioritize her safety, promising the full backing of the Lu family, even if it meant "fighting to the bitter end." Meanwhile, Lu Xinran wept, heartbroken that the marriage proposal that could have been hers was now for Lu Anran. Her mother, Madam Liu, was furious, warning Lu Xinran that if Lu Anran married Prince Qing, they would be forever suppressed.
Madam Liu dismissed the idea of love, stating that Prince Qing's interest was solely in the Twin Fish Token and the Lu family's assets. She insinuated that if Lu Anran were no longer an option, and Lu Xinran became the sole daughter of the Lu family, Prince Qing would inevitably turn his attention to her. Dong Qing announced that Mu Chuan, the Ninth Prince, was waiting to see Lu Anran.
Mu Chuan remarked on the vastness of the Lu estate, expressing his sadness that Lu Anran, with her spirited personality, would choose to be "trapped" in the palace, assuming she loved his second brother, Mu Ze, deeply. Lu Anran quickly corrected him, stating there was "no genuine affection" involved; her marriage was merely "a transaction."
She explained that the Lu family's extensive river transport business had placed them in a precarious position, akin to being "on the chopping block," leaving her with no alternative but to choose Mu Ze over Prince Yi to secure her family's future. When Mu Chuan asked if there truly was no other way, she firmly replied, "There isn't." He then presented her with a bracelet as a "wedding gift," casually claiming he "just randomly bought" it in Su City.
Lu Anran, however, remembered that in her previous life, he had told her a different story: that he received the bracelet from an old monk in Nanxiao as a charm for protection. This discrepancy made her question why he would lie. Mu Chuan reiterated his offer of help should she need anything. As Mu Chuan left, deeply unsettled, he walked away into the heavy rain, ignoring Dong Qing's offer of an umbrella.
Dong Qing later returned to Lu Anran, remarking that Mu Chuan seemed greatly concerned for her and would "go all out to help" if he understood her plight. However, Lu Anran insisted that "the less he knows, the better," believing it was the best way to protect him. With the wedding still six months away, Lu Anran resolved to resolve all inner courtyard matters before the ceremony, promptly starting to audit household accounts with Ling Xi and Dong Qing.
Lu Xinran sent Lu Anran a box of Yipintang rouge, which Danqing quickly identified as containing castor, a substance that would cause skin damage and disfigurement with prolonged use. Lu Anran discussed this with her mother, Madam Lu, and they decided to frame Cuigu, a maid from Madam Liu's courtyard. Madam Liu and Lu Xinran, anxious about exposure, also accused Cuigu of poisoning the legitimate daughter, Lu Anran.
Faced with pressure, Cuigu confessed to the crime, claiming it was her doing to stop Lu Anran from investigating her past embezzlement. Madam Lu, portraying righteous indignation, ordered Cuigu to be punished with fifty strokes of the cane for harming the legitimate daughter. Madam Liu and Lu Xinran realized this was a warning, a clear declaration of hostility.
Madam Liu vowed vengeance for Cuigu, her personal maidservant, and urged Lu Xinran to prepare, stating that once Lu Anran was married, Lu Xinran would be the Lu family's sole daughter, inheriting the Twin Fish Token and Prince Qing's favor. Six months later, Prince Qing, Mu Ze, returned victorious from leading the army against the encroaching Beilin forces. He leveraged his significant military merits to secure an imperial decree for his marriage to Lu Anran.
Cai Wangjin expressed his doubt, suggesting that merely taking Lu Anran as a concubine would suffice, and that exchanging military merit for the Lu family alone seemed "unworthy." Mu Ze, however, corrected him, stating that the combination of "the Lu family plus Lu Anran" made the alliance invaluable. He elaborated that whoever controlled Great Han's extensive river transport network held the nation's lifeline, which was critical for both "military affairs" and the "civilian economy."
Beyond the family's wealth, Mu Ze highly valued Lu Anran's expertise in shipbuilding, believing her abilities could significantly "improve warships." If her talents could be harnessed for his cause, he concluded, "mere military merits mean nothing." With the wedding day drawing near, Lu Anran was informed that the Ninth Prince, Mu Chuan, who was in Su City to escort the bride on Prince Qing’s behalf, was occupied with wedding preparations at the posthouse.
She sought him out, finding him in the rice fields discussing cultivation with local farmers. Recalling his earlier offer of help, she cautiously asked if it still stood. Mu Chuan affirmed his commitment to assist her in any way possible.
However, instead of asking for help with her plans, Lu Anran changed her request, asking him to visit Su City annually to continue guiding the local farmers, as she did not wish to burden his hands, which she believed were destined to "benefit countless people," with her "selfish" schemes. Mu Chuan readily agreed, viewing it as an excellent opportunity to research new rice varieties.
That evening, as a candle burned low, Lu Anran examined the bracelet Mu Chuan had given her. She discovered a hidden inscription: "What night is tonight, that I may see my beloved. My dear beloved, I shall never betray you." This poignant message brought back a memory from her past life, where Mu Chuan had described his ideal woman—"clever and whimsical," with "eyes that shine" when discussing ambitions, and "radiant and breathtaking" at their first encounter.
Realizing he had asked for her name then, "Su City, Lu Anran," she finally understood that he had always loved her. Late that night, Dong Qing secretly went to an inn to see Mu Chuan, urgently requesting his help in finding Gelsemium elegans and Snow Cicada. She fabricated a story about needing them to "scare" former tormentors and offered her life in return.
Mu Chuan, however, easily discerned her lie, recognizing her inability to meet his gaze, and understood that these rare poisons were actually for Lu Anran. The following morning, Mu Chuan visited Lu Anran, who despite her earlier resolve, appeared troubled. He asked her if she would choose a path that offered both "happiness" and protection for her family. Lu Anran replied that she knew one "can't have both" in life and never dared to dream of such a thing.
Mu Chuan then openly proposed to her, offering his status as a prince to protect her and the Lu family. He suggested he could petition the Emperor to allow the Lu family to collaborate with him on regulating Great Han's waterways and expanding farmland, thus safeguarding their interests and enabling Lu Anran to pursue her ambitions while he handled any "troublesome matters." Lu Anran, however, rejected his offer with a cold demeanor.
She stated that if he had proposed "earlier," she might have considered it, but with the imperial decree for her marriage already issued, she "cannot drag him into this." She then accused him of trying to make her "break off the engagement" and questioned if he was "concerned for me or harming me," suggesting he was no different from Mu Ze or Prince Yi, merely seeking to "use the Lu family."
Deeply hurt by her words, which he described as "sharp as knives," Mu Chuan left the Gelsemium elegans and Snow Cicada for her and departed, profoundly disappointed. Later, Dong Qing admitted to Lu Anran that she had approached Mu Chuan on her own initiative, as she knew how vital the poisons were to Lu Anran's plan and wished to spare her from feeling guilty towards the Ninth Prince.
Lu Anran mused that perhaps this outcome, where "wishes turned to ashes," was for the best. Lu Anran's mother brought her some peach pastries. Soon after, Lu Xinran arrived to visit. Lu Anran showed Lu Xinran her exquisite, royal wedding dress, which Lu Xinran praised as a testament to Lu Anran's good fortune.
While their mother went to review the dowry list, Lu Anran deliberately offered Lu Xinran the peach pastries, which Lu Xinran politely declined, stating she was too full and would take a walk in the garden. She suggested Lu Anran eat the pastries herself. Lu Anran then conspicuously ate a piece of the peach pastry.
Later, Lu Xinran gleefully reported to her mother, Madam Liu, that she had "saw Lu Anran with my own eyes eat the peach pastry," confidently believing that "nothing can go wrong now." Madam Liu was overjoyed, declaring that Lu Anran would "definitely not survive tonight" and that Lu Xinran would become "the Lu family's only daughter" by morning. However, their triumphant anticipation was cut short when a servant burst in with alarming news: "The young mistress is in trouble!"
Episode 7 Recap
Lu Anran was found gravely ill after eating walnut cakes. A doctor confirmed she was poisoned, with the poison having reached her vital organs, leaving her beyond cure. As Lu Qingzhou questioned how this could happen, Dong Qing and Ling Xi immediately pointed fingers at Lu Xinran, who had visited Lu Anran's room that evening, refused to taste the cakes, and had been the only one left alone with them.
They also reminded Lu Qingzhou of Liu Mingyu's past malicious acts, including sending poisoned cosmetics which was blamed on her maid, Cuigu. Lu Anran's mother, distraught, then accused Liu Mingyu of also being responsible for her own long illness, claiming a Guanyin statue she had received from Liu Mingyu three years prior contained hidden poison. Dong Qing retrieved the statue for inspection.
Panicked, Lu Xinran blamed Cuigu, claiming she held a grudge and was skilled in medicine, suggesting she might have purchased achyranthes root. Liu Mingyu, in her haste to agree, inadvertently confirmed the poison was indeed achyranthes root. Dong Qing then revealed her own slip-up, as she had never mentioned the specific poison.
She explained that Lu Anran had already discovered the poison in the original statue when it was accidentally broken and had replaced it with an identical, harmless one to avoid alerting Liu Mingyu, thus proving her guilt. Furious, Lu Qingzhou confronted Liu Mingyu, calling her "vicious." Liu Mingyu confessed that all the recent schemes, including the poison in the Guanyin statue and Lu Anran’s walnut cakes, were solely her doing, designed to benefit Lu Xinran. She denied Lu Xinran's involvement.
Lu Qingzhou ordered her to be punished with fifty cane strikes. Despite Lu Xinran's pleas, Lu Qingzhou pressed Liu Mingyu for the antidote as Lu Anran was dying. Liu Mingyu defiantly refused, stating that even if Lu Qingzhou knew the poison, he couldn't save Lu Anran, who was "undoubtedly dying today." She reminded him that a bride's death on a royal wedding day would bring ruin to the Lu family.
Seeing Liu Mingyu's unrepentant wickedness, Lu Qingzhou forbade anyone from seeking medical help for her, decreeing that anyone who disobeyed would face severe family punishment. With the wedding procession arriving, Lu Qingzhou desperately ordered his butler to search all of Su City for doctors for Lu Anran and to post notices offering any reward for her savior. However, the butler warned him of the Emperor's decree and the impending arrival of Mu Chuan's welcoming party.
Just then, Lu Xinran, dressed in a bridal gown, appeared before Lu Qingzhou. She declared that with Lu Anran near death, she was the only remaining daughter, and she would be Princess Qing. She urged her father to accept this reality to save the family. Lu Xinran also demanded that Ling Xi accompany her, arguing that if Lu Anran's closest maid was absent, Mu Ze and Mu Chuan would grow suspicious.
For the sake of the Lu family, Ling Xi reluctantly agreed. Before leaving, Lu Xinran, asserting her new authority, threatened Lu Qingzhou to secure medical treatment for Liu Mingyu, warning that she would not forgive any harm to her mother. Meanwhile, Liu Mingyu, recovering from her caning, gloated, believing her plot had succeeded. To her shock, Lu Anran, very much alive and well, entered her room.
Lu Anran revealed she had anticipated Liu Mingyu's treachery and had swapped out the poisoned walnut cakes, consuming a poison of her own to feign her death and expose Liu Mingyu's crimes. She then shattered Liu Mingyu's hopes, detailing how Lu Xinran, a mere concubine-born daughter without the Twin Fish Token, would hold no real power in Prince Qing's mansion.
As Liu Mingyu's dreams crumbled, Lu Anran cryptically stated she had "another move waiting" for Lu Xinran and bid Liu Mingyu "safe travels," just as a servant announced the arrival of a coffin she had ordered. At the Prince Qing's mansion, the wedding banquet was in full swing. Prince Qing Mu Ze attempted to exit, claiming his bride was weary.
When guests pressed him to drink, Mu Ze called upon Mu Chuan, the Ninth Prince, to help him deflect the toasts so he could retreat to the bridal chamber. Soon after, Prince Yi arrived, offering a box of foul-smelling, dead fish as a wedding gift to insult Mu Ze. Mu Ze and Mu Chuan deftly countered Prince Yi's taunts, with Mu Chuan "accidentally" spilling fish juice on Prince Yi's new robe, infuriating him into an early departure.
Mu Ze entered the bridal chamber and grew suspicious of the bride. He noted her "delicate and tender" hands, which contrasted with his knowledge of Lu Anran's hands, which were accustomed to managing business. He demanded to know Lu Anran's whereabouts. Lu Xinran confessed that her sister had died from a sudden illness before the wedding and that she had taken her place, promising she could fulfill all of Lu Anran's duties.
Mu Ze, however, was unimpressed; he desired both the Lu family and Lu Anran herself. He warned Lu Xinran that while he might overlook the deception for now, she had better ensure she held true authority in the Lu family, or he would have no qualms about having "another young departed wife" in his household. Defiant, Lu Xinran vowed to become the true head of the Lu family.
Meanwhile, outside the Prince Qing's residence, a heartbroken Mu Chuan encountered Ling Xi as she was about to take her own life. Mu Chuan intervened, and Ling Xi tearfully revealed that Lu Anran had died before the wedding. She explained she had accompanied Lu Xinran to protect the Lu family, but now intended to follow her mistress in death. Distraught and vowing revenge, Mu Chuan immediately rushed back to Su City.
He rode tirelessly, eventually collapsing from exhaustion and calling out Lu Anran's name. Suddenly, Lu Anran appeared before him in a vision, playfully chiding him for being too slow before vanishing. When she reappeared, he hesitated to touch her, fearing she was a spirit who had come to bid him farewell as tears streamed down his face.
Episode 8 Recap
Having learned of Lu Anran’s supposed death, Mu Chuan rode tirelessly for two days from Hanjing to Su City, a journey that usually takes three. He arrived, distraught and disoriented, believing the sight of Lu Anran was a mere hallucination. Shan Yue, following Lu Anran’s instructions, delivered a letter to Mu Chuan. In the letter, Lu Anran reassured him she was alive but intended to leave Su City, explaining, "Mu Chuan, don't be sad. I'm still alive.
If you come here because of my death, I should have left Su City. People are as evil as the demon. I've seen too many of them, but I don't want you to see them. With such a clean character, you should be with the seedlings and soil, you should see the splendid mountains, and enjoy the fragrance of mountain flowers. Just be Rice Fragrance Hermit freely. Take care. Don't miss me."
When Mu Chuan saw Lu Anran, he hesitated, confessing, "I finally understand what is 'Nearing home, timid I grow'." He admitted he had rushed to see her "one last time" and put "an end to the madness these days," but upon arrival, he didn't want the illusion to end. Lu Anran, seeing his distress, walked to him and held his hand, stating, "Mu Chuan. I'm not dead. I'm real. Why are you so silly?
You can't even tell if it's true or not." Reassured, Mu Chuan embraced her tightly. That evening, Lu Anran prepared grilled fish by the rice fields. Mu Chuan complimented the simple yet delicious meal, teasing her about having "the freshest honey on her mouth." He then expressed concern about Mu Ze discovering she was alive. Lu Anran calmly explained that her marriage to Mu Ze was a political alliance, one she held no love for.
With Lu Xinran now married to him, the alliance's effect would be the same. As Mu Chuan, exhausted from his journey, fell asleep, Lu Anran tenderly covered him. She confided her feelings to herself, acknowledging her deep affection for him but resolving to keep it hidden for the sake of her family's safety. She mused, "Mu Chuan, though you like me so much, I have no choice. I can't ignore the safety of my family, do you understand? . .
. I only give you one chance. Now, if you ask me whether I like you or not. I like you." Later that night, Lu Anran instructed Holly to burn the letter she had written earlier, planning a discreet departure from Su City the following morning while Mu Chuan was still asleep. Elsewhere, Mu Ze dispatched his subordinates to Su City to investigate Lu Anran's death, emphasizing, "See her in person if she is alive.
See the corpse if she is dead." Lu Anran visited Lu Yun, who was mourning his mother, Liu Mingyu. Lu Yun apologized for his mother's actions, admitting she poisoned Lu Anran to secure the family business for him and Lu Xinran. Lu Anran comforted him, reminding him he was not responsible for his mother's deeds, but Lu Yun sorrowfully insisted that he had lost his mother. Lu Anran then informed her parents of her imminent journey to Danzhou.
Her mother was hesitant, concerned for Lu Anran's safety after her recent poisoning. However, Lu Qingzhou supported her decision, understanding her desire to address the frequent floods in Danzhou, which had affected the 36 ports under her management. He urged her to take care, promising, "No matter what happens, mom and dad are there to support you. Lu family is there to support you as well."
Lu Anran confided in Holly, revealing her true motive for going to Danzhou: Mu Ze would soon be ordered to Danzhou to investigate the theft of relief grain. She needed to expose Gao Chengxian as the mastermind behind the theft and present this information to Mu Ze as a token of loyalty. This would secure her legitimate entry into Prince Qing's Mansion, a move she believed was crucial to saving the Lu family.
The next morning, as Lu Anran prepared to leave, she found Mu Chuan already seated in her carriage. He explained that Shan Yue had informed him of her plans, and that Danzhou was the final destination of his years of travels, where he intended to study the complex river system and find long-term solutions for flood control. Unable to refuse, Lu Anran allowed him to accompany her. Back at the Lu family residence, Mu Ze’s subordinate returned from Su City.
Lu Qingzhou, with a heavy heart, handed the subordinate a letter from Lu Anran addressed to Prince Qing. In the letter, Lu Anran explained she was poisoned by her aunt, Liu Mingyu, and nearly died, which led to Lu Xinran becoming the substitute bride. She further stated she had already set off for Danzhou and was "Waiting for the reunion with His Highness." The subordinate confirmed the details of the poisoning with Lu family members.
Shortly after, an imperial edict arrived, commanding Prince Qing, Mu Ze, to proceed immediately to Danzhou to investigate and suppress rampant river bandits who had been stealing relief food, causing widespread suffering. Mu Ze was intrigued, wondering, "How could she know that I'm going to Danzhou? This woman is getting more and more interesting. I'd like to see what Lu Anran is going to do."
Upon arriving in Danzhou, Lu Anran and Mu Chuan witnessed the desperate situation of the starving populace. The local Assistant Garrison Officer, Gao Chengxian, was widely criticized for his incompetence and corruption. Lu Anran revealed the Lu family's strategically located granaries, established by her father to aid boatmen and distribute food during emergencies. She explained her long-term vision of a national public warehouse system.
For immediate relief, she opened the Lu family’s granary in Danzhou, providing enough rice to sustain the victims for three days until additional supplies arrived from neighboring states. Recognizing the need for strong laborers to repair water infrastructure, Lu Anran suggested seeking help from the Qinghe Gang. Mu Chuan, who knew the gang leader Shen Changqing, accompanied her. At the Qinghe Gang headquarters, Shen Changqing welcomed Mu Chuan. Mu Chuan explained their need for help in building dams.
Shen Changqing readily agreed, ordering his subordinate, Chai Guang, to mobilize the Danzhou Branch brothers. However, Lu Anran then provocatively accused the Qinghe Gang of colluding with Gao Chengxian to steal relief food under the guise of river bandits, claiming that the "biggest gang in the world" was, in fact, "the biggest joke in the world."
Shen Changqing was angered, but Lu Anran pressed her point, highlighting inconsistencies in the river bandits' methods—their use of Qing Kung and long swords contrasted sharply with the traditional five-claw rakes and bold tactics of true river bandits. She urged Shen Changqing to personally investigate the robbed ships and examine the sword marks to prove her claims, warning him that if Gao Chengxian implicated the Qinghe Gang, all its members would suffer.
She firmly asserted her certainty of Gao Chengxian's corruption and involvement. Lu Anran then arranged for a servant to deliver a bag of rice from "Chen's Rice Shop" to Mu Ze’s carriage. Mu Ze's subsequent investigation confirmed the rice was indeed imperial relief food that had not yet been circulated, realizing that Lu Anran had provided him with a crucial clue connecting the stolen supplies to Gao Chengxian. He accepted this "gift" from her.
Mu Chuan, observing Lu Anran's astute planning and deep knowledge of the local situation and the Qinghe Gang, realized her trip to Danzhou was not for business. He questioned her mysterious ways, noting that her current actions diverged from her usual proper demeanor. Lu Anran deflected his inquiries, admitting she no longer dared to claim she knew herself or others well, as "lies and disguises can be so real."
Later, Mu Chuan read the letter Lu Anran had written for him, which Holly, instead of burning it, had secretly given to him. Reading her sincere words of concern and hope for his pure and free life, he realized the depth of her feelings and intentions for him. He teased her about the letter, remarking on the "sincere words and beautiful sentences" that "reveal her true feelings" and made him feel "warm."
Lu Anran, flustered, tried to brush him off, but Mu Chuan playfully insisted on sharing the "woman's true heart" with her, musing on how mature her words sounded for a fifteen-year-old.
Episode 9 Recap
Prince Qing arrived at Gao Chengxian's military camp, where he witnessed Gao Chengxian publicly chastising a subordinate for the loss of relief grain to river bandits. Prince Qing implied that Gao Chengxian's performance was not convincing enough, prompting Gao Chengxian to brutally beat the subordinate to death to demonstrate his sincerity. Afterward, Prince Qing instructed Gao Chengxian to accompany him into Danzhou city.
At Chen's Rice Shop, Prince Qing observed the exorbitant price of rice, which was five times higher than the royal grain in Hanjing City, and noted the many impoverished citizens begging in the streets. He openly accused the rice shop of exploiting the people. Seeing Gao Chengxian's feigned compassion for a hungry child, Prince Qing proposed they perform a good deed together.
He then announced to the crowd that Chen's Rice Shop would be distributing free rice, much to the dismay of Gao Chengxian, who was forced to comply. Meanwhile, Shen Changqing successfully apprehended Chai Guang, a traitor in the Qinghe Gang who was attempting to send a message to Gao Chengxian. Shen Changqing came to thank Lu Anran for her insightful warning.
Lu Anran, in turn, apologized for her earlier blunt remarks and offered Shen Changqing a "sister" as compensation, referring to Holly, her maid. Shen Changqing initially misunderstood her intention, but Lu Anran already knew, from a butterfly birthmark she observed when she first met Holly, that Holly was Shen Changqing's long-lost sister. She asked Shen Changqing if he had spent years searching for his sister and if she had a red butterfly mark on her arm.
Shen Changqing, astonished by her knowledge, confirmed it. Lu Anran then encouraged Holly to embrace a free life with her family, and the siblings were tearfully reunited. Later, Mu Chuan, intrigued by Lu Anran's foresight regarding the Danzhou rice crisis and Holly's identity, jokingly suggested she was more capable than a fortune teller. Lu Anran attributed her knowledge to careful observation and effort, though she inwardly acknowledged her past life experiences.
Mu Chuan, noticing her mature demeanor, teased her about acting like an elder, to which she humorously offered to tell his fortune. He then proposed a future where, if Prince Qing were to marry Lu Xinran, Lu Anran could pursue her own desires, free from Hanjing affairs. He envisioned them collaborating to manage the Danzhou floods, leveraging her expertise from Su City, and then traveling the world to build granaries.
However, Lu Anran firmly stated her intention to return to Hanjing. She explained that she could not entrust the Lu family to someone like Lu Xinran and felt a profound responsibility to protect her family. She concluded by telling Mu Chuan that only true confidants could maintain a lasting relationship, indicating her desire to keep their current bond. Soon after, Lu Anran and Mu Chuan discovered smoke emanating from the Lu family's granary and rushed to investigate.
They were ambushed by Gao Chengxian and his soldiers, who intended to kill them. Mu Chuan bravely shielded Lu Anran, narrowly escaping death thanks to the timely arrival of Prince Qing. Gao Chengxian accused the Lu family of colluding with bandits to hoard relief grain. Lu Anran vehemently denied the accusation, claiming they were framed. Yet, the rice in the warehouse was indeed identified as Hanjing relief grain, leaving Lu Anran unable to refute the evidence.
Prince Qing ordered her arrest, despite Mu Chuan's protests. Prince Qing then revealed to Mu Chuan that Lu Anran had sent him messages from Su City and Danzhou, implicitly guiding him to investigate the rice relief, making it seem as if she had everything orchestrated. He expressed his perplexity at her hidden motives and warned Mu Chuan not to underestimate Gao Chengxian, implying a deeper complexity to the situation.
He also hinted that Chai Guang was no longer with the Qinghe Gang. In the prison, Gao Chengxian interrogated Lu Anran, inflicting severe torture as revenge for their previous encounter in Su City. Lu Anran defiantly warned him that if she bore any visible marks of torture, she would accuse him to Prince Qing of attempting to use her to implicate the royal family. She threatened to ensure his death before hers.
Later that night, Prince Qing visited Lu Anran in her cell, observing her weakened state. He questioned her motives, knowing she was no ordinary woman to be easily entangled in family disputes. He asserted that her actions must be a calculated demonstration of loyalty to him and expressed his anticipation for her next move. Lu Anran, admitting her strategies could not compare to his, still insisted that she was not defeated and would rise again.
Prince Qing, intrigued, declared he looked forward to that day. The following day, during the public trial, Gao Chengxian sensationalized the discovery of imperial relief grain in the Lu family's warehouse and publicly revealed the Lu family's marriage alliance with Prince Qing, inciting the angered populace to demand justice from Prince Qing and severe punishment for the Lu family. Prince Qing leaned in and whispered to Lu Anran, reminding her that to gain his trust, she needed to prove herself.
To everyone's astonishment, Lu Anran pleaded guilty. Prince Qing then sentenced her to be escorted back to the capital the next day at noon. Gao Chengxian personally escorted Prince Qing's entourage out of Danzhou. Once he believed they were gone, he returned to the city to celebrate with his subordinates, confident that he had successfully diverted Prince Qing's scrutiny.
As they prepared to divide their ill-gotten gains from the relief fund, they discovered that all the silver had mysteriously been replaced with stones. At that moment, Prince Qing and his men reappeared. Prince Qing confronted Gao Chengxian, exposing his conspiracy with Chai Guang of the Qinghe Gang to hijack the relief grain and frame the Lu family, presenting irrefutable evidence and witnesses.
Gao Chengxian, realizing too late that Prince Qing and Lu Anran had orchestrated an elaborate deception, accused them of setting a trap and replacing the money. Prince Qing confirmed their scheme, explaining that they had intercepted his messenger pigeon and replaced the real money with fakes, merely waiting for Gao Chengxian to fall into their snare.
Prince Qing later confided to Lu Anran that her "narrow escape from death" ploy, though successful in exposing Gao Chengxian, was not enough to secure his full trust. Lu Anran then learned the full extent of Prince Qing's foresight: he had captured Chai Guang ten days prior, even before her own supposed capture, and had orchestrated Gao Chengxian's framing of the Lu family and her subsequent arrest. She realized her schemes were utterly outmatched by Prince Qing's deeper manipulations.
Prince Qing cautioned her against overestimating her own cleverness, stating he disliked women who were too aggressive or who tried to dictate his path. He declared that her "token of loyalty" was only halfway complete, with the rest to be arranged upon their return to the capital. Lu Anran looked at him, feeling a profound sense of unfamiliarity.
Prince Qing, observing her expression, wondered why she looked at him as if he were "someone she used to know," despite their relationship being merely a political alliance. Lu Anran, heartbroken, reflected that a true ruler must forsake love, realizing that all their past interactions and shared moments were merely part of his cold, calculated strategies.
She felt a deep sadness, not of love lost, but of indignation and bitterness for the ten years of genuine feelings she had poured into their past. Later, Mu Chuan found Lu Anran visibly distraught. Noticing her low spirits and physical weakness from the prison ordeal, he offered his coat as it was raining, though she declined.
He tried to defend Prince Qing, explaining that while Prince Qing was cautious and sometimes used unconventional methods due to court intrigues, he was not a man who disregarded justice. Lu Anran, however, questioned if Mu Chuan truly understood Prince Qing. Mu Chuan admitted that he didn't fully comprehend either her or Prince Qing, acknowledging that both seemed to harbor secrets and unspoken burdens.
He simply wished for both of them to find happiness, especially knowing Prince Qing's life was not without its struggles. Mu Chuan also reminded Lu Anran of her actions in the warehouse, where she instinctively protected him, noting that while words could deceive, actions revealed true intentions. He expressed that he felt he was slowly beginning to understand her, and with a long journey ahead, they had plenty of time.
Episode 10 Recap
Mu Ze brought Gao Chengxian before him, telling him that if he could prove useful, his crimes might be overlooked. Desperate for survival, Gao Chengxian offered to be Prince Yi's informant, helping Prince Qing achieve his great cause.
Mu Ze seemed satisfied with his choice but had Gao Chengxian's arm dislocated as a warning, reminding him that the Lu Family and Prince Qing's Mansion were interconnected, and some people were not to be touched, especially after Gao Chengxian's prior schemes against Lu Anran. Although the Lu family's false accusation had been cleared, Mu Chuan still struggled to understand Mu Ze's decision to release Gao Chengxian.
He questioned why Mu Ze would disregard Gao Chengxian's numerous crimes, including the embezzlement of funds that harmed Danzhou's civilians, for some perceived utility. Mu Ze then showed Mu Chuan a ledger detailing transactions between Prince Yi and Qin Yekuo. He explained that the armies under Qin Yekuo's command were essentially Prince Yi's personal coffers, with funds continuously siphoned off from locals to Prince Yi.
Killing Gao Chengxian now, Mu Ze argued, would only alert others, forcing them to conceal their corruption more deeply and making a thorough investigation impossible. He intended to save Gao Chengxian's life temporarily to completely eradicate military corruption, which he saw as shaking the country's foundation. Mu Chuan, however, was still greatly distressed by the suffering of the innocent people under Gao Chengxian's tyranny.
Soon after, news arrived that heavy rains had washed away the mountain roads leading into the city, and the relief grain convoy from Yizhou was buried in mudslides. Mu Ze ordered Gao Chengxian to gather all soldiers and divide them into two groups: one to stabilize the mountainside to prevent further landslides, and the other to rescue victims. Mu Ze assured Mu Chuan that Gao Chengxian would still face all his deserved punishments, but Mu Chuan, visibly angry, left.
Lu Anran brought Mu Chuan cold prevention medicine, ensuring he drank it. She urged him not to harm himself, even when upset. Mu Chuan felt ashamed to face the Danzhou civilians and even Lu Anran herself, knowing Gao Chengxian had been released without immediate punishment. Lu Anran reminded him that Mu Ze was Mu Ze, and he was himself, and he shouldn't bear responsibility for his brother's decisions.
She stressed that while many things in the world could be flexible, the lines between right and wrong should never be blurred. She encouraged Mu Chuan to remain true to his convictions, warning that if Mu Ze continued down a path he couldn't agree with, their paths would diverge beyond repair. Lu Anran then visited Chai Guang in prison.
She informed him that Prince Qing intended to name him the sole mastermind of the relief grain robbery, which was a capital offense that would also bring shame and ruin to his family. She offered him a deal: if he cooperated by revealing the truth, she would ensure his family's safety, wealth, and peace. Chai Guang agreed.
The next morning, Mu Chuan, identifying himself as the Ninth Prince of Dahan Dynasty, stood in the streets of Danzhou, calling for the people to join him in accusing Gao Chengxian. He highlighted Gao Chengxian's history of atrocities, exploiting civilians, and breaking families. Acknowledging their fear and despair, Mu Chuan vowed that if Gao Chengxian remained free for a day, he would stay there for a day, personally guaranteeing their safety if their efforts failed.
Inspired by his unwavering determination, many civilians stepped forward, declaring their willingness to follow him. Meanwhile, Chai Guang, having been released from prison, confronted Gao Chengxian, kicking him off a balcony in a fit of rage. Chai Guang publicly accused Gao Chengxian of betraying their agreement to share responsibility for the relief grain robbery and demanded to speak with Prince Qing. When Mu Ze arrived, he rebuked Chai Guang for seizing a court official.
Chai Guang, unafraid of death, then publicly exposed Gao Chengxian as the true instigator of the famine relief theft. Under threat, Gao Chengxian confessed, detailing how he provided the imperial court's food transport route, instructed Chai Guang to impersonate a river bandit to steal and sell the food, and how they split the profits 70-30. The enraged crowd demanded Gao Chengxian's execution. Mu Ze, however, claimed this was insufficient court evidence.
At that moment, Shen Changqing appeared and executed Chai Guang, declaring he was "cleaning house" for the Qinghe Gang and trusting Prince Qing to deliver justice for the people. Faced with overwhelming public indignation, Mu Ze had no choice but to order Gao Chengxian's detainment. Moments later, Mu Chuan arrived with a multitude of Gao Chengxian's victims, who began to detail his numerous crimes and their suffering.
Mu Chuan passionately listed Gao Chengxian's three monstrous crimes: first, neglecting river pirates while extorting protection fees from merchants, causing Danzhou's trade to collapse; second, raping innocent women, torturing those who resisted, and publicly killing their rescuers; and third, embezzling court funds, colluding with criminals, and raising food prices, leaving Danzhou's civilians to starve. He pleaded with Prince Qing, in his capacity as an imperial envoy, to execute Gao Chengxian immediately. The crowd echoed his demands, forcing Mu Ze's hand.
Despite Gao Chengxian's desperate pleas, reminding Mu Ze of his promise of protection, Mu Ze drew his sword and executed Gao Chengxian on the spot. The civilians praised Prince Qing's wisdom. Later, back at the manor, Mu Chuan apologized to Mu Ze for forcing his hand in public. Mu Ze acknowledged Mu Chuan's hotheadedness but said, "You are my brother. How can I be angry with you?" He forgave him.
With the Danzhou affair concluded, Mu Chuan and Lu Anran made plans to reunite in Hanjing. Mu Ze, on his journey back to the capital, was ambushed by assassins. His loyal subordinate, Zhaolie, sacrificed himself to protect Mu Ze, his dying words being a warning to "watch out for Prince Yi." The evidence related to Prince Yi and Qin Yekuo that Mu Ze had gathered was destroyed in the burning carriage.
This incident solidified Mu Ze's resolve to bring down Prince Yi. In Hanjing, Mu Ze reported to the Emperor on Gao Chengxian's execution and hinted at Qin Yekuo's negligence, requesting a thorough investigation. Prince Yi immediately countered, stating Qin Yekuo was his uncle and implying Mu Ze was attempting to undermine him. The Emperor rewarded Mu Ze for his work in Danzhou but merely ordered Qin Yekuo to conduct a self-inspection within his own jurisdiction, showing no deeper suspicion.
Following this, Mu Chuan presented his "National Granary" plan to the Emperor, showcasing a new, robust cereal he had cultivated that yielded much more than standard crops, even under harsh conditions. He explained how, with widespread water conservation, this could ensure prosperity. The Emperor was greatly pleased by Mu Chuan's dedication and non-political demeanor. He decreed that Mu Chuan would set the questions for the Spring Imperial Exam and select talents for himself.
Prince Yi objected, calling Mu Chuan an "idle prince" unfit for such responsibility. In response, the Emperor publicly named Mu Chuan as Prince Qi, entrusting him with agriculture and water conservation, and bestowed upon him a mansion. After the court session, Prince Yi approached Mu Ze, mockingly asking if he was upset by the Emperor's dismissive treatment of his efforts and favoring of Mu Chuan.
Mu Ze sent Mu Chuan away and then sought a private audience with the Emperor, arriving in his inner clothes and revealing his recent assassination wound. He again tried to press for action against Prince Yi and Qin Yekuo, but the Emperor remained unyielding. The Emperor warned Mu Ze against using his injury to force a political hand, stating that his intentions were "too anxious" and "revealed."
He also alluded to Consort Liang's secret about Mu Ze's parentage, advising him to simply "be Prince Qing well" and "never consider other things anymore." The Emperor's words and his clear disdain deeply affected Mu Ze. He realized that all his military merits and efforts were futile in gaining the Emperor's approval.
Cai Wangjin approached, reminding him that his true ambition was not for the Emperor's admiration but for a "great cause," to control his own destiny, and to ascend to the "supreme position." Reflecting on Zhaolie's death and the cold, distant nature of royal kinship, Mu Ze concluded that since one person (the Emperor) lacked emotion and another (Prince Yi) sought his demise, there was no reason for him to continue being "prim and proper." He vowed to no longer follow conventional rules and instead pursue his desires.
Episode 11 Recap
The Emperor confessed to his eunuch that he regretted making Consort Liang's personal maidservant pregnant with Mu Ze during a drunken night many years ago. At the time, with few children, he saw no issue, but he now found Mu Ze to be a gloomy individual. Lu Anran, accompanied by Lu Yun and Dong Qing, arrived in Hanjing City.
Lu Yun expressed his excitement for the bustling city but voiced his reluctance to study at the Imperial Academy, instead wishing to become a general. Lu Anran acknowledged his martial aspirations but urged him to prioritize the family, reminding him that their father had entrusted her with the family business, and questioned what would happen if she were no longer there to manage it.
Meanwhile, inside Prince Qing's Mansion, Mu Ze's subordinates discussed the upcoming Spring Imperial Exam, noting Prince Yi's influence over it and the Emperor's recent changes to the examiners. It was suggested that Minister Yan, a respected but neutral veteran, could be swayed by helping his "useless son," who had failed the exam five times, achieve a high score.
Mu Ze expressed keen interest in seeing how Lu Anran would complete her pledge, instructing that she be granted unrestricted access to his mansion at any time. Lu Anran left Lu Yun and Dong Qing behind and ventured alone into Prince Qing's Mansion. As she walked through the familiar halls, painful memories, particularly those involving her son Yu, flashed before her eyes, solidifying her resolve to secure her family's future.
Her thoughts were shattered by screams, leading her to discover Princess Qing, Lu Xinran, cruelly torturing Ling Xi and threatening her to die for her loyalty to Lu Anran. Enraged, Lu Anran intervened, shielding Ling Xi and violently forcing Lu Xinran's head into a water basin. She revealed her survival to a shocked Lu Xinran, taunting her about orchestrating the marriage and her mother's death.
Lu Anran declared Lu Xinran insignificant to Prince Qing and that her death would not fully repay the suffering inflicted upon the Lu family and Yu. Just as Lu Xinran struggled for air, Mu Chuan arrived, pulling Lu Anran away and reminding her that she was not a murderer and should not bear the guilt of killing her own family, promising he would not let her do so.
Later, Lu Anran knelt before Mu Ze, confessing her impropriety in confronting Princess Qing. Mu Ze, though seemingly indifferent to Lu Xinran's life, reminded Lu Anran that Princess Qing was still part of his household, warning her to respect his authority and "see the owner before beating the dog." Lu Anran boldly responded that next time, she would seek his permission before killing Princess Qing. She then formally requested Ling Xi's return.
Mu Ze, seeing an opportunity, stated that her services in Danzhou were not enough and demanded her "sincerity" in return for Ling Xi. Mu Chuan, worried, interrupted Mu Ze, advocating for Ling Xi's release, explaining Lu Anran’s impulsive anger. Mu Ze dismissed the idea of sincerity, stating that his alliance with Lu Anran was purely transactional and built on holding her "sore spot" to ensure her utility.
Mu Chuan, undeterred, asked to "borrow" Ling Xi for a day to bring some joy to his friend. Noticing Mu Chuan's deep concern, Mu Ze playfully teased him about having a crush on Lu Anran, which Mu Chuan quickly denied, insisting they were merely bosom friends. Mu Ze agreed to the temporary release, cynically remarking that taking Ling Xi back later would only motivate Lu Anran to work harder. In the mansion, Lu Xinran, panicking, confided in her maid, Cuicui.
She lamented that her mother and she had been mistaken, realizing that Lu Anran's survival was part of her elaborate scheme to humiliate and torture her. Hearing that Lu Anran was residing in Hanjing and would frequently visit, Lu Xinran stormed into Mu Ze's study, determined to expose Lu Anran. Mu Ze, however, admonished her for her intrusion and reminded her of her own involvement in poisoning Lu Anran.
He coldly stated his indifference to the "truth," declaring that as long as the Lu family and Lu Anran could serve his interests, it was sufficient. He warned Lu Xinran that if she continued to stir up trouble, her life in the mansion would be miserable. Emerging from the study, a distraught Lu Xinran encountered Cai Wangjin, to whom she expressed her dismay that Mu Ze disbelieved her and that she lacked respect as Princess Qing.
She claimed ignorance of her mother's plot to poison Lu Anran. Cai Wangjin, in turn, consoled her, advising her to uphold her duties and assuring her that Prince Qing would eventually recognize her sincerity. Meanwhile, Lu Anran pondered the Spring Imperial Exam. She realized that Mu Ze's demand for her "sincerity" involved manipulating the exam papers to help Minister Yan's son, a tactic she now understood was how Mu Ze had gained Minister Yan's support in her past life.
She confided in Dong Qing that this task was despicable and she would not comply, planning instead to find another way to retrieve Ling Xi. She revealed that her alliance with Mu Ze was merely a pretense to gain access to Prince Qing's Mansion, as her true goal in Hanjing was to confront Lu Xinran. Later, Mu Chuan arrived at Lu Anran's residence with Ling Xi, who was granted a day's visit.
Lu Anran tearfully embraced Ling Xi, but her joy was quickly overshadowed by Ling Xi's visible injuries, which filled Lu Anran with remorse. Ling Xi, however, reassured her, recounting how Mu Chuan had saved her from attempting suicide and urged her to wait for Lu Anran's return. Outside, Mu Chuan was diligently building a unique grape trellis, explaining his design to climb a tree and his intention to plant green grapes from Su City, promising beautiful scenery through the seasons.
Lu Anran was deeply affected by this, realizing that in her previous life, it was Mu Chuan, not Mu Ze, who had built a similar trellis for her during her pregnancy. Overwhelmed by the realization of Mu Chuan’s silent devotion and her past blindness, she felt immense regret for the cruel twist of fate. She sought solace in alcohol, but Mu Chuan intervened, trying to take the wine away.
During their struggle, Lu Anran accidentally leaned against his chest, tearfully lamenting her inability to distinguish between malicious individuals and those with true hearts. As Ling Xi reluctantly prepared to return to Prince Qing's Mansion, Lu Anran promised to ensure her permanent retrieval. Mu Chuan gave Ling Xi a bag of "Zongzi candy," telling her that Lu Anran would come for her once she finished them.
Back home, Lu Yun openly teased Lu Anran about Mu Chuan, suggesting that Lu Xinran's proxy marriage was a divine intervention, allowing Lu Anran to choose anew. He playfully accused his sister of being coy about her obvious affection for Mu Chuan. Dong Qing also urged Lu Anran to follow her heart.
However, Lu Anran reiterated her unwavering commitment to extricating the Lu family from the perilous imperial power struggles, believing that a romantic involvement with Mu Chuan would only complicate her plans. Aware of Lu Xinran's cold reception in Prince Qing's Mansion, Lu Anran decided to target her through her maid, Cuicui, who was also suffering. Lu Anran anticipated that Lu Xinran would attempt to use Mu Ze's upcoming birthday as an opportunity to regain his favor.
Lu Anran, with a subtle smile, knew that Mu Ze never celebrated his birthday, and such an endeavor would only further alienate him. Shortly after, Lu Yun introduced his friend, Xu Qingce, to Lu Anran, explaining that all inns in Hanjing were full due to the Spring Imperial Exam. Lu Anran immediately recognized Xu Qingce as the future top scholar of the Spring Imperial Exam from her previous life, remembering his tragic demise in political strife.
While outwardly offering shelter and requesting him to tutor Lu Yun as a condition, she inwardly grappled with how she could help him avoid his predestined tragic fate without jeopardizing her own intricate plans. Meanwhile, Mu Ze's subordinate reported the difficulty in finding a suitable poor scholar for the exam paper swap, noting that most talented candidates were from noble families, making a swap risky, and poor scholars were largely unknown and required extensive investigation.
Mu Ze wondered if Lu Anran was diligently working on his assigned mission. Later that evening, Lu Anran was deep in thought, gazing towards Xu Qingce's room, when Mu Ze unexpectedly appeared behind her. Startled, she accidentally dropped a window rod, which struck Mu Ze's hand.
Episode 12 Recap
Mu Ze unexpectedly arrived at the Lu mansion, causing Lu Anran to hastily close the window, fearing he would see Xu Qingce. In her rush, she accidentally caught Mu Ze’s hand, injuring him. To apologize, Lu Anran used medicated wine to help reduce the bruising. During the treatment, she inadvertently mentioned Mu Ze's aversion to alcohol.
Although Mu Ze was surprised by her knowledge, asking if they had met before, Lu Anran brushed it off as a mere guess, claiming she had never seen him drink. Mu Ze remained suspicious, stating her expression suggested they had met prior to his journey to Su City. Just then, Lu Yun entered, mentioning that Xu Qingce wished to borrow books from the study.
Mu Ze, learning that Xu Qingce was a talented scholar from Su City with no influential background, decided he would be a suitable substitute for Minister Yan's son in the upcoming Spring Imperial Exam. Lu Anran, recalling that in her previous life Xu Qingce became a top scholar, was then used by Mu Ze, and soon after assassinated by Prince Yi, resolved to prevent this tragedy. She believed that if he failed the exam and returned home, he might live.
Mu Ze, pleased with Lu Anran finding Xu Qingce, accepted him as a "birthday present" and promised that after the exam results were announced, she could take Ling Xi home. On his birthday, Mu Ze retreated alone to a secret room to honor his deceased mother. He confided that this day, his birthday, was also the day he despised most, because no one knew his mother's name.
He vowed that one day her name would be placed in the royal ancestral temple, to be revered for generations. Later, Lu Xinran brought him longevity noodles she had prepared herself, hoping to express her sincerity. However, this act enraged Mu Ze. He overturned the bowl, mockingly remarking that even in her display of sincerity, she couldn't resist disparaging Lu Anran.
He sternly warned her to behave herself and cease creating trouble, emphasizing that Lu Anran, despite her mysterious resurrection and unknown motives, was far more valuable to him than Lu Xinran, a mere concubine's child. He further threatened that if she dared to act on her own initiative again, the noodles would become offerings on her grave next year. Mu Ze’s harsh words deeply disappointed Lu Xinran, who realized her efforts would never win his genuine affection.
After Mu Ze’s tirade, Lu Xinran, filled with resentment, took her anger out on her maid, Cuicui, physically punishing her. She then decided to approach Lu Yun, her only remaining ally. Before the exam results were announced, Lu Xinran found Lu Yun with Xu Qingce and tried to instigate him against Lu Anran, claiming that Lu Anran had killed their mother, Liu Mingyu.
Lu Yun, however, dismissed her accusations, stating that their mother had brought her fate upon herself by trying to harm the First Madam and Lu Anran. He saw through Lu Xinran’s intentions, realizing she was merely trying to sow discord between him and Lu Anran to gain control of the family property. Lu Xinran, furious at Lu Yun's refusal to side with her, swore she would make everyone see Lu Anran's true colors one day.
When the Spring Imperial Exam results were posted, Xu Qingce, who had been confident in his performance and had planned with Lu Yun to seek an assessment from the Imperial Academy chief, was devastated to discover he had failed while Minister Yan's son, Yan Ziyun, was named the champion. Lu Anran went to collect Ling Xi as promised. Mu Ze, however, presented her with a new agreement, stating that their previous marital alliance was now void.
This new document stipulated that if either party betrayed the other, they would be subject to the other party's chosen punishment. To compel her signature, Mu Ze had Ling Xi's finger pricked, using her blood to mark the document. Enraged but with no other choice, Lu Anran signed the agreement. As she departed, she deliberately used her hairpin to scratch Cai Wangjin’s hand, a silent act of defiance.
Later, Lu Xinran visited Cai Wangjin under the pretext of bringing wound medicine, seeking information. Cai Wangjin inadvertently revealed that Lu Anran had assisted Mu Ze by finding a talented scholar from her hometown to act as a substitute, thereby helping Minister Yan's son secure the top rank. This made her immediately suspect Xu Qingce.
Meanwhile, Lu Yun attempted to comfort a despondent Xu Qingce, while Lu Anran, feeling responsible for his failure, promised him the Lu family's full financial and political support for future examinations. Xu Qingce, however, politely declined, expressing his intention to return to Su City the next day. Lu Xinran, armed with her new information, confronted Lu Yun, accusing Lu Anran of swapping Xu Qingce's exam paper.
Lu Yun, shocked, obtained a copy of the champion's paper and hurried to confront Lu Anran. Her inability to offer a coherent explanation deeply disappointed him. Unable to keep the truth from his friend, Lu Yun revealed to Xu Qingce that his paper had been swapped and that the champion's essay was indeed his own work. Furious, Xu Qingce stormed out of the Lu mansion, determined to seek justice.
Lu Anran, realizing she couldn’t stop him, rushed to Prince Qing's Mansion. Xu Qingce arrived at the Examination Hall and beat the drum of grievances, publicly denouncing the injustice of having his exam paper swapped and his champion title stolen. He declared that the examination hall, meant to select talents, had become a marketplace for wealth and a graveyard for the aspirations of the poor, demanding an explanation and the return of his rightful title.
Concurrently, Lu Anran confronted Mu Ze at his mansion, dragging Lu Xinran before him. She accused Lu Xinran of deliberately leaking the secret of the swapped papers to Lu Yun, thereby jeopardizing Mu Ze's entire plan. Lu Xinran vehemently denied this, deflecting blame back onto Lu Anran by claiming that Lu Anran was duplicitous, pointing out that Lu Yun had previously taken Xu Qingce to the Imperial Academy chief for a re-assessment, proving Lu Anran must have known.
Unable to deal with their bickering at that moment, Mu Ze ordered Lu Anran to quickly resolve the situation with the Imperial Academy chief to prevent further complications. Separately, Mu Chuan ordered Fu Yunan to thoroughly investigate the exam paper swap. Fu Yunan explained the difficulty, pointing out that various powerful factions in the capital exerted influence over the examination hall, making a strict investigation challenging.
Mu Chuan, however, insisted that if the imperial examination became a mere transaction of power and money, it would fail its purpose of recruiting worthy talents for the court. Fu Yunan subtly hinted that a thorough investigation would implicate powerful figures, possibly even Mu Ze himself. Meanwhile, Cai Wangjin visited Xu Qingce in prison. He expressed understanding for Xu Qingce's resentment but cautioned him that even if he reclaimed his title, antagonizing Minister Yan would destroy his future political career.
Cai Wangjin suggested that Xu Qingce's past failures were due to his humble background, not his lack of talent. He proposed that by compromising now and accepting support from Prince Qing and Minister Yan, Xu Qingce could still achieve his ambitions. Cai Wangjin urged him to make a pragmatic choice. Lu Anran, upon learning that Prince Qing had sent someone to recruit Xu Qingce, still felt uneasy, fearing for his life if the situation escalated. Later, a fire broke out at the Hanjing Mayor's mansion.
Episode 13 Recap
The Mansion of Hanjing's Mayor caught fire, trapping many scholars inside. Despite the danger, Xu Qingce refused to save himself. He declared that if the Imperial Examination became unfair, his decade-long efforts would be meaningless. He felt that cheaters used their power to bully poor scholars like ants. Determined to uphold justice, Xu Qingce proclaimed he would shed his blood for the Imperial Examination, hoping his death would prompt a purge to restore fairness and justice to students nationwide.
He chose to be a broken straight sword rather than a compromised crook. While Lu Yun and Mu Chuan desperately tried to stop him, Lu Anran watched in horror as Xu Qingce fatally wounded himself, causing her to collapse from the shock and grief. A doctor later diagnosed Lu Anran with increased blood pressure due to prolonged preoccupation and pent-up emotions, assuring her she would recover. Meanwhile, Mu Ze learned that the examination hall was also on fire.
His aide, Cai Wangjin, expressed concern that the Emperor would find out and that Mu Ze's order to burn the hall would draw attention. Mu Ze confirmed his intention was to destroy evidence if the truth could not be concealed, to prevent further investigation into his affairs. Cai Wangjin then asked about dealing with the Chief of the Imperial Academy, but Mu Ze dismissed it, believing that Xu Qingce's public declaration already made the story known throughout Hanjing.
Soon after, Mu Chuan confronted Mu Ze, asking if he was responsible for Xu Qingce's paper being switched and the examination hall fire. Mu Ze admitted his actions were "for myself," leading Mu Chuan to express his growing disappointment and difficulty in understanding his second brother. Privately, Mu Ze instructed Cai Wangjin to halt Mu Chuan's investigation but strictly warned him not to harm Mu Chuan, threatening him with severe consequences otherwise.
Lu Anran woke from a nightmare, haunted by Xu Qingce's accusations. Distraught, she confessed to Holly that she was responsible for Xu Qingce's death, believing that if not for her intervention, Mu Ze would not have chosen him, and he might have become a revered champion. She lamented having taken away his decade of hard work and his life, despite believing at the time that her actions were to protect him.
Mu Chuan, having overheard her self-recriminations, entered the room and questioned if she was threatened or deceived. He even offered scenarios where his second brother forced her or used her maid Lingxi as leverage. However, Lu Anran denied being forced, candidly admitting that she was the one who introduced Xu Qingce to Prince Qing, driven by her ambition for merit. She explained that Xu Qingce, despite his erudition, had no background, making him the ideal candidate for the paper swap.
Mu Chuan was outraged, reminding her that it was a human life, not a chess piece to be discarded. He pointed out the stark contrast between her past actions, like saving Holly desperately and sacrificing herself to catch Gao Chengxian, and her current involvement in exam fraud that led to Xu Qingce's death. Deeply confused and disillusioned, Mu Chuan accused her of valuing lives by money and angrily left, expressing his inability to see her clearly anymore.
Unbeknownst to them, Lu Xinran, who had overheard this entire conversation, reveled in Lu Anran's anguish, hoping she would die in anger. The next day, Lu Anran sought out the Chief of the Imperial Academy, hoping he would testify about Xu Qingce's swapped paper. The Chief, however, was reluctant to oppose Minister Yan, the father of the favored scholar.
Lu Anran knelt, pleading with him to help Xu Qingce, arguing that such an innocent scholar should not die with his reputation tarnished and the truth obscured. Meanwhile, Lu Yun found Mu Chuan and revealed he had accompanied Xu Qingce to the Chief's home after the exam, where Xu Qingce rewrote his essay. This essay, Lu Yun explained, could prove Xu Qingce was the true champion, and it was still at the Chief's residence.
Cai Wangjin, informed that Mu Chuan and Lu Yun were headed to the Chief's house, saw them as a threat to Mu Ze's imperial ambitions. Believing the path to becoming emperor was paved with countless lives, he decided that both the Chief and Prince Qi (Mu Chuan) must be eliminated. Lu Xinran, who overheard Cai Wangjin's orders, saw an opportunity to use this plot against Lu Anran.
She approached Lu Yun, fabricating a story that Prince Qing (Mu Ze) had ordered the Chief's assassination. She subtly manipulated Lu Yun into notifying Lu Anran, knowing Lu Anran would not believe her directly, intending for Lu Anran to walk into the trap and be killed by the assassins. Mu Chuan arrived at the Chief's house to find him under attack. He quickly moved to protect the Chief and the essay.
As Lu Anran rushed to the scene, they found themselves overwhelmed by the assassins. Fortunately, Shen Changqing, leader of the Qinghe Gang and Mu Chuan's "Brother Shen," arrived just in time, saving them from certain death. From the Chief, Mu Chuan learned that Lu Anran had personally visited him to plead for Xu Qingce's name to be cleared and that, but for the assassins, he would have already petitioned the Emperor.
Mu Chuan, now realizing his misunderstanding of Lu Anran's true intentions, decided to accompany the Chief to the palace the following day to formally present the truth about Xu Qingce. Later, as Lu Anran tended to Mu Chuan's injuries, he subtly expressed regret for their last argument, confessing that during his near-death experience, he thought about their heated parting.
He then gently pressed her to confide any difficulties or secrets she was unwilling to share, sensing a deeper purpose behind her actions. He reflected on his prior belief that she allied with Mu Ze to protect the Lu family, but her current efforts for Xu Qingce, even risking Mu Ze's wrath, contradicted that. Mu Chuan asked directly what she truly desired.
Seeing her hesitation, he didn't force her further but asked her to promise that she would seek his help in the future, regardless of the problem. The next morning, the Emperor, upon seeing Xu Qingce's authentic champion essay and hearing the Chief's and other examiners' testimonies, became enraged by the paper swap and the burning of the examination hall, calling the perpetrators "lawless."
Mu Chuan passionately argued for justice, stating that Xu Qingce's sacrifice was meant to restore fairness to students nationwide. The Emperor, moved by Xu Qingce's aspiration and Mu Chuan's plea, ordered Mu Chuan to investigate the Spring Imperial Exam thoroughly and at all costs. Mu Ze, furious, confronted Cai Wangjin after discovering his secret guards had been sent to kill the Chief and Mu Chuan.
Cai Wangjin, without remorse, justified his actions by asserting that Mu Chuan was a hidden danger to Mu Ze's path to emperorship, not an ally. He declared his willingness to be a stepping stone for Mu Ze, even if it meant his own death. In a chilling warning, Mu Ze severed Cai Wangjin's topknot with his sword, threatening him with death if he ever harmed Mu Chuan again.
Acknowledging that the Xu Qingce issue had now reached the Emperor's ears, Mu Ze quickly devised a new plan: assassinate Minister Yan and frame Prince Yi for the entire conspiracy. Subsequently, rumors spread that Minister Yan had committed suicide out of fear of punishment, leaving a letter that implicated Prince Yi in a scheme to control him through the Imperial Examination. Holly commented on Prince Qing's (Mu Ze's) decisive move to eliminate his ally to protect himself.
Lu Anran, understanding Mu Ze's ruthless strategy, prepared to retrieve Xu Qingce's body from the Mansion of Hanjing's Mayor to give him a proper burial in Su City. However, Holly soon informed her that Lu Xinran had already claimed Xu Qingce's body. Lu Anran immediately went to Prince Qing's mansion to confront Lu Xinran. Lu Anran directly questioned Lu Xinran's motives for taking the body.
Lu Xinran tried to assert her newfound status as Princess Qing, but Lu Anran dismissed her, reminding her that all she possessed was by Lu Anran's doing. Lu Anran then demonstrated her intimate knowledge of every detail within Lu Xinran's chambers, from a hidden hole in the wall to the specific design of a folding screen, implying she could access the room at will and unsettling Lu Xinran. She warned Lu Xinran not to meddle with her in a place that once belonged to her, demanding to know why she wanted Xu Qingce's body.
Episode 14 Recap
Lu Anran used her knowledge of Prince Qing's Mansion from her previous life to intimidate Lu Xinran, demanding to know why Lu Xinran had taken Xu Qingce's body. Lu Xinran, thoroughly frightened, confessed that she simply did not want Lu Anran to inform Prince Qing and prevent him from investigating Xu Qingce's death.
Lu Anran chastised Lu Xinran for her unnecessary posturing, then suggested that the sobbing sounds heard at night would disappear if the locust tree in the backyard was cut down. Later that night, Lu Xinran, recalling Lu Anran's words, ordered her servant Cuicui to cut down the locust tree. Mu Ze, in the imperial court, vehemently condemned Prince Yi and sought justice for Xu Qingce, which earned him the support of many virtuous officials.
A servant showed him the numerous invitations received from these officials. When Lu Anran visited, she started to mention the imperial examination, but Mu Ze interrupted, declaring that if not for Xu Qingce's death, he would not have gained so much. Lu Anran then remarked on Mu Ze's apparent lack of sorrow over the loss of Minister Yan. Mu Ze chillingly explained that if the Emperor discovered the truth, he would be doomed, thus Minister Yan "had to die."
He further elaborated that he gained the support of candid officials, and both common people and the court now believe Prince Yi manipulated Minister Yan and cheated in the imperial examination, then killed Minister Yan after the scandal broke. Mu Ze claimed he only lost Minister Yan but gained the support of virtuous officials and could even blame Prince Yi, seeing it as a good deal.
He said that by publicly grieving and regretting not sending more people to protect Minister Yan and Xu Qingce, he would sway opinion. Lu Anran realized with horror that in her previous life, Xu Qingce, a rising star among virtuous officials, was likely deliberately killed by Mu Ze to frame Prince Yi, and then Mu Ze falsely championed his cause to win support, just as he had done with Minister Yan.
This revelation that Mu Ze's supposed appreciation for Xu Qingce was entirely a calculation, a cold manipulation for political gain, left her deeply disappointed and chilled to the bone. She couldn't believe she had spent nearly ten years with such a deceptive person without knowing. Mu Ze noticed her distress, coldly remarked on her being unaccustomed to his cruelty, and warned her that he would not tolerate such "misbehavior" again before ordering her to leave.
It was initially believed that with the examination hall burnt, it would be impossible to restore Xu Qingce's title as the top scholar. However, thanks to Fu Yunan, who had preserved the Spring Imperial Examination papers, Mu Chuan was able to revise the rankings. Xu Qingce was officially declared the rightful top scholar, bringing great relief to many. Numerous candidates expressed their gratitude to Mu Chuan for uncovering the truth and ensuring justice.
Lu Anran was also deeply comforted by this development. Mu Chuan himself felt a personal debt to Xu Qingce, silently promising to send his belongings back to Su City. Mu Ze took Mu Chuan to their childhood residence, a cold palace where they were once neglected and suffered from hunger. Mu Ze recalled how Mu Chuan, despite his own hunger, had given him his only cake, promising then never to let anyone harm him.
Mu Ze lamented that in such a vast palace, only Mu Chuan was sincere to him, admitting that Mu Chuan likely viewed him as an unscrupulous killer. He questioned if Mu Chuan would still share his cake now. Mu Chuan, in turn, challenged Mu Ze, asking if not being killed meant one had to kill others.
Mu Ze confessed his neglect regarding Xu Qingce and his original intention to make him an advisor, but stressed that Prince Yi and the Emperor sought his death. He argued that he had to fight back to survive, but promised Mu Chuan he would not casually take lives in the future, asking for forgiveness.
Mu Chuan, acknowledging Mu Ze's perilous situation and inability to remain aloof, expressed his understanding that there seemed to be no other solution for them or for the world, only endless cycles of killing. Mu Ze, seeing Mu Chuan's noble character, reiterated his desire for Mu Chuan to remain untainted by court politics and to pursue his peaceful life, assuring him he would not be let down.
Lu Anran and Danqing followed Lu Xinran after learning from Cuicui that Lu Xinran had gone out alone. Lu Anran also recalled that Cai Wangjin had left to worship his parents. She tracked Lu Xinran to a mountain temple where she was seeking divine help.
The shaman there had refused Lu Xinran’s request, stating that it was tainted with the blood of a close relative, and gave Lu Anran a totem that Lu Anran recognized as a curse Lu Xinran had given her in her past life under the guise of a blessing for her child. On her way back to the city, Lu Xinran was ambushed by robbers. Fortunately, Cai Wangjin, who was also in the mountains commemorating his parents, intervened.
They fought the robbers together, and in the struggle, Lu Xinran sustained an injury to her back. Since there was no one else on the mountain, Cai Wangjin personally bandaged her wound. Later, Cuicui informed Lu Anran that Lu Xinran's back wound had already been dressed before she returned to the mansion.
Lu Anran speculated that Lu Xinran and Cai Wangjin were once again fated to be together in this life, and recognized this as the opportune moment to save the Lu family. Mu Chuan came to the Lu family courtyard to plant grapes. Noticing his melancholic expression, Lu Anran inquired, learning that Mu Chuan was troubled by Mu Ze's increasingly dangerous position, surrounded by untrustworthy figures in court.
Mu Chuan felt he could not abandon Mu Ze, whom he saw as both brother and father, as Mu Ze had no way out. He wondered if Lu Anran had a way out, confessing his intuition that she harbored a significant secret concerning Mu Ze and the Lu family. Mu Chuan urged Lu Anran to trust him, offering to face any challenges with her and wishing for her not to confine herself.
Lu Anran revealed that she had seen the words on the bracelet, confirming Mu Chuan’s deep feelings for her. She acknowledged that he saved Lingxi and had rushed to Su City when he thought she was dead, and even tried to save Lu Xinran to prevent Lu Anran from taking a life. She assured him she had a way out, but asked him to wait for her. Mu Chuan agreed to wait.
Lu Anran received a letter from Lu Yun, who had left home to pursue his own interests, feeling overwhelmed by the recent events. In his letter, Lu Yun also spoke favorably of Lu Xinran, suggesting that her informing him about the assassination plot was meant to help Lu Anran.
Mu Chuan, however, deduced that Mu Ze had intended to silence the Chief Instructor, while Lu Anran realized Lu Xinran's actions were a deliberate attempt to "borrow a knife to kill a man," aiming for her permanent disappearance.
Lu Anran internally acknowledged her bitter enmity with Lu Xinran, recognizing how deeply she had been deceived by her fake gentleness for years, vowing that this would be the last time she allowed Lu Xinran to manipulate her, and that she would settle their foolish entanglement once and for all. General Xiao Ying arrived at Prince Qing's Mansion with his sister, Xiao Jingque, to discuss her wedding date.
Lu Anran, who was also present, learned that Mu Ze intended to take Xiao Jingque as a concubine, but was puzzled why this marriage was occurring three years earlier than in her previous life. Mu Ze introduced Lu Anran to Xiao Ying and Xiao Jingque, describing Lu Anran as the head of the Lu family fleet and owner of the Double Fish Order, whose efforts were crucial for quick delivery of strategic materials to the battlefield.
Xiao Jingque expressed concern about being bullied by Lu Anran, given Lu Anran's close relationship with Mu Ze and Lu Xinran being the principal consort. General Xiao Ying then boldly proposed that Mu Ze marry Xiao Jingque with the ceremony befitting a principal consort, arguing that his sister, despite her noble background and love for Mu Ze, was unfairly being made a concubine.
Lu Anran, intervening, rejected Xiao Ying's suggestion, pointing out that such a move would brand Mu Ze with the stigma of "spoiling his concubine and abandoning his wife," potentially damaging his political standing. Instead, she proposed that after Xiao Jingque entered the mansion, Mu Ze could host a banquet in Xiao Jingque's name, inviting all the noble ladies of the capital.
This, she argued, would demonstrate Mu Ze's regard for the Xiao family and his affection for Xiao Jingque, while also allowing him to build connections through women's social networks, without incurring public scorn. Lu Anran inwardly reflected that this move would surely thwart Lu Xinran's recent plans and challenge her ability to cope with Xiao Jingque's superior background and status.
Upon learning that Mu Ze was taking a concubine, and a noble lady from a general's family at that, Lu Xinran felt deeply wronged by the injustice of her situation. She was frustrated by being constantly overshadowed, first by Lu Anran in the Lu Mansion, and now by others even as Princess Qing. This ignited a fierce desire within her to change everything. Meanwhile, Mu Chuan, having taken charge of the Hanjing Peace Granary, invited Lu Anran to inspect it.
He revealed that after the imperial examination concluded, when the Emperor offered him a reward, he asked for the Peace Granary. He proudly explained that besides Hanjing's cities and counties, the Emperor had ordered the construction of official granaries nationwide. The imperial court was now supplying grain to the granaries via the ports established by the Lu family, marking the initial success of the National Granary Plan. Lu Anran affirmed that the plan was indeed showing promising results.
Episode 15 Recap
Mu Chuan brought Lu Anran to the Peace Granary on its closing day, asking her to inscribe words for the occasion. Lu Anran wrote "Peace Granary" and expressed her hope for "peace and food security," wishing that the people of Great Han would live without hunger, echoing Mu Chuan's own desire for a Dahan free from famine. Lu Anran felt genuinely happy, remarking that this place, devoid of schemes and conspiracies, was a world apart that brought her joy.
Mu Chuan affirmed that this utopia would always be open to her. Lu Anran noted that the National Granary plan was no longer just on paper and inquired if Mu Chuan had considered leaving Hanjing. Mu Chuan explained that once the water conservation project in the suburban area, a complement to the granary plan, was complete, he intended to leave Hanjing to escape its conflicts.
Lu Anran then revealed her own decision to leave Hanjing first, which made Mu Chuan happy, not because she was leaving, but because she was finally willing to extract herself from Hanjing's mire. Mu Chuan then asked, referring to an earlier conversation, if his wait was over. Lu Anran playfully reversed their roles, stating it was now his turn to wait for her.
Declaring it would be "once for each of us," she set a condition that Mu Chuan happily accepted. Lu Xinran brought Mu Ze a bowl of ginger soup. Mu Ze questioned her presence and told her not to waste time on such pointless efforts. Lu Xinran acknowledged that in his eyes, she was merely an "accident of alliance" with the Lu family and an "object of adornment."
Despite this, she insisted that as Prince Qing's wife, she must fulfill her duties. She referenced her sister not becoming his wife and how she, by chance, became the "tie that connects the royals and the Lu family," emphasizing that a tie merely keeps to its duties. Mu Ze, recalling his birth mother's unrequited love for the Emperor and her tragic end, felt a pang of pity for Lu Xinran.
He drank the soup she offered, which she claimed was to ward off the cold. However, the soup contained a potent drug, intended to help her conceive a child. Feeling the effects, Mu Ze angrily confronted Lu Xinran, who confessed to adding "medicine for strengthening the body." She pleaded with him, explaining her desperation as a woman in a cold household, needing a reason to survive and begging for a child.
Mu Ze, enduring the drug's effects, vehemently refused to touch her and called for guards to drag her away, ordering them never to let him see her again. Mu Chuan visited Mu Ze, who greeted him with the knowledge that the "absurdities in the family" had finally found him, referring to Lu Xinran's actions, and implied he was aware of people laughing at him behind his back.
Mu Chuan expressed concern that with Mu Ze constantly navigating imperial court conflicts, the added schemes and jealousy within his own household would only bring more annoyance. Mu Ze responded that royal marriages were merely tools to secure status and that seeking true love within them was asking too much. Despite Mu Ze's cynical view, Mu Chuan wished him happiness and the simple joys of a normal family life, where he could come home, lower his defenses, and speak heart-to-heart.
Mu Ze admitted that Mu Chuan was perhaps the only one who would say such things to him, but maintained that love was an "illusional" bubble, while power offered true security. Mu Chuan countered by asking about the "end of power," suggesting that "solitude comes with high status." Mu Ze then promised that if he were to meet someone who truly loved him, he would "try to taste the worldly joy" Mu Chuan described.
Mu Chuan then informed Mu Ze that the first batch of Peace Granary warehouses had closed, presenting him with the ceremonial seal. Mu Ze, recognizing the handwriting was not Mu Chuan's, learned it was Lu Anran's, and although he forced a smile, his displeasure was evident. Lu Anran's maid, Danqing, relayed news from Cuicui: Lu Xinran had attempted to drug Prince Qing. The incident was widely known throughout Prince Qing's Mansion, and Lu Xinran was now confined to her room.
Danqing remarked that Lu Xinran had lost considerable face and could no longer boast her title as Princess Qing. Lu Anran, hearing this, expressed a desire for "all the absurdities to end soon." The next morning, the sound of gongs and drums filled Prince Qing's Mansion, signaling the joyous wedding day of Mu Ze and Xiao Jingque. Lu Xinran, confined in the back courtyard, listened with sorrow, realizing she had never experienced such a grand wedding.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jingque, despite being a concubine, deliberately wore a double-headed phoenix hairpin, typically reserved for a principal consort, to assert her status as the true mistress of the household to all of Hanjing's aristocrats. Lu Xinran was mistreated by the servants, receiving sour and meager meals. When she learned that Xiao Jingque was hosting a grand feast for the city's noblewomen, establishing herself as the mansion's hostess, she was consumed by envy and indignation.
Provoked by her maid, Cuicui, who declared Lu Xinran the "only true mistress," Lu Xinran, dressed lavishly, stormed into the banquet. She publicly chastised Xiao Jingque for starting the feast too hastily and proceeded to entertain guests as the rightful Princess Qing. She then presented Xiao Jingque with a "gift" of a tree branch, sarcastically suggesting it was a "golden branch" for Xiao Jingque to rest upon, a thinly veiled insult about Xiao Jingque's ambition to climb the social ladder.
Xiao Jingque, not one to back down, retaliated by calling Lu Xinran a "daughter of a boatman" and an "unwanted wife" who was "trying to take my place." Lu Xinran retorted, reminding Xiao Jingque that she was merely a concubine who dared to wear a hairpin beyond her rank and affront her superior. Their public quarrel was interrupted by Mu Ze, who, upon arriving, expressed his displeasure to Lu Xinran.
He then publicly declared that Princess Qing was "ill and unsound" and instructed his guards to remove her. As she was escorted away, Lu Xinran defiantly proclaimed that even as an "unsound Princess Qing," she remained his true wife, the "only true mistress of the family," and that all other women were merely concubines whose children would have to call her mother.
She also boldly stated that Mu Ze would not kill her because she was the sole link between the Lu family and the Prince Qing's Mansion, implying that without her, Lu Anran would not continue to work for him. Cuicui, concerned by Lu Xinran's uncharacteristic silence after the public humiliation, sought out Cai Wangjin, fearing Lu Xinran might do something rash.
Cai Wangjin found Lu Xinran distressed, lamenting how Mu Ze viewed her as abominable despite her conviction that she was the rightful Princess Qing. She confessed her deep sadness that no one truly "saw" her, a feeling she had experienced since her time in the Lu family. Cai Wangjin tried to advise her to remain calm, reminding her that Mu Ze's feast was to honor the Xiao family.
However, Lu Xinran declared that she simply wanted everyone to know, just once, that she was "not nobody," nor an "unwanted concubine," but the "rightful Princess Qing." Cai Wangjin, seeing her despair, offered comfort, stating, "At least, I see you." Overwhelmed, Lu Xinran embraced him, regretting that she had "chosen the wrong person." At that very moment, Xiao Jingque, accompanied by a group of noblewomen, burst in, witnessing the embrace.
Lu Xinran was subjected to their scornful gazes and mocking comments about her shamelessness. Unable to bear the public humiliation, Lu Xinran's sanity fractured, and she descended into madness, with a sense of finality that "everything is finally over." The scandal involving Lu Xinran and Cai Wangjin had spread like wildfire across Hanjing, reaching even the imperial harem.
The Emperor, furious and feeling that the royal family's dignity had been gravely insulted, rebuked Mu Ze and ordered both Cai Wangjin and Lu Xinran to be beaten to death. Mu Ze pleaded with his father to reconsider, arguing that executing them would only validate the rumors and further disgrace the imperial family. He proposed an alternative: Cai Wangjin would be imprisoned, and Lu Xinran would publicly declare she was voluntarily leaving the family.
He fabricated a story that Cai Wangjin had assaulted the Princess, who fiercely resisted but, knowing the shame it brought upon the royal family, chose to depart due to her conscience. The Emperor, swayed by this logic, agreed to Mu Ze's plan. Cai Wangjin was subsequently dragged to prison, where he desperately begged Nanxing, a guard, to let him see Mu Ze, warning that "someone's behind it." Nanxing, however, scorned him and locked the cell door without looking back.
Meanwhile, Lu Xinran, now fully lost to her madness, incessantly repeated, "I'm Princess Qing. I'm the real Princess Qing." Lu Anran sought an audience with Mu Ze, who was visibly dejected. She acknowledged the humiliation he had endured due to Lu Xinran's actions and offered to withdraw all of the Lu family's businesses from Hanjing as compensation.
Mu Ze bitterly remarked that he and the Lu family were now equally "a laughing stock" in Hanjing, with their businesses already deserted and the full impact on their water transport unknown. He angrily questioned if she thought her family hadn't brought him enough shame. Lu Anran stated her understanding that as long as the Lu family remained in Hanjing, gossip would persist, reminding everyone of the scandal.
She promised to expedite the removal of all their companies and presence from Hanjing, including the capital port, believing that the rumors would eventually fade with their absence. Mu Ze approved her plan, then, with a cryptic tone, asked if she knew what he regretted "more than the Lu Family," but before she could inquire further, he dismissed her.
Lu Xinran was returned to the Lu family residence, where she remained in a state of delusion, refusing food and causing disturbances, convinced it was poisonous. When servants reported her refusal to eat, Lu Anran initially seemed to dismiss it but then decided to intervene, taking the food herself.
Lu Xinran still rejected the meal, but when Lu Anran stated that Prince Qing had personally ordered the cooks to prepare it, Lu Xinran's madness briefly subsided, showing a flicker of attention. However, she soon reverted to her delusional state, claiming everyone bullied her and no one cared.
Seeing her sister's condition, Lu Anran reflected on their strained sisterly bond, acknowledging that perhaps her own "past privilege blinded" her and caused Lu Xinran suffering, or perhaps Lu Xinran was "evil in nature beyond help." Regardless, she admitted that the Lu family's safe withdrawal from Hanjing was, in part, due to Lu Xinran's actions. Lu Anran resigned herself to the fact that their "problem will never be solved" and that they didn't "have to be forgiven in this life."
The scandal, having spread like a plague, caused the Lu family's reputation to plummet, earning them disdain from Hanjing's aristocrats. Lu Anran finally achieved her goal of escaping the imperial family's scrutiny, believing that the plan she initiated on the night of the Flower Festival in Su City had finally come to an end, allowing the Lu family to escape unscathed. However, unknown to her, fate had already planted seeds of danger that would unfold in unexpected ways.
Episode 16 Recap
Lu Qingzhou arrived in Hanjing and immediately struck Lu Anran, expressing his profound disappointment. He declared that if he had known she would resort to such despicable means to protect the Lu family, he would have risked his own life to prevent her from straying. Though a merchant, Lu Qingzhou prided himself on living honorably and earning money with clean hands. Lu Anran, however, insisted that circumstances had left her with no other choice.
Hearing Lu Xinran's deranged cries from afar, Lu Qingzhou wished Lu Anran had retaliated directly rather than disgracing her and ruining her reputation. Lu Anran countered that if Lu Xinran didn't care about her own virginity, why should she cover it up? She asserted that continuing to indulge Lu Xinran would lead the entire Lu family to ruin, a fate she would never permit. She declared she had no regrets about her decision.
Displeased with her reasoning, Lu Qingzhou ordered Lu Anran to kneel in the courtyard for reflection until she understood her errors. A heavy rainstorm began, and Lu Anran remained kneeling until nightfall. Eventually, she collapsed from exhaustion into Mu Chuan's arms. Lu Anran's mother, Madam Lu, tending to her daughter as she rested, found Mu Chuan in the room. He explained he had come to check on the grapes in the courtyard, which he had planted for Lu Anran.
Madam Lu, sensing the deep affection between them, excused herself, leaving Mu Chuan to care for her daughter. Lu Qingzhou, also concerned, was informed that Lu Anran's sudden illness was due to prolonged preoccupation and exhaustion, which had allowed evil qi to enter her body, and that rest and conditioning would restore her health.
Madam Lu, though unsure of the exact cause of the argument between father and daughter, recognized that Lu Anran constantly worried for the Lu family, always putting others first and neglecting her own well-being. She wished Lu Anran would think of herself more, noting that her mind held too many things except herself. Lu Anran awoke to find Mu Chuan by her side.
She told him that once all current matters were resolved, she would return to Su City and never come back, feeling that the Lu family's fame had become a burden, and perhaps the present situation was the most fitting conclusion. Mu Chuan promised to find her in Su City after the water conservation projects had spread across Great Han, and invited her to his spring ploughing ceremony the following day. The next morning, Lu Anran dressed with care.
Madam Lu, noticing her daughter's eagerness, commented that she never expected Lu Anran to dress up for an admirer. Lu Anran openly admitted she was going to meet her "boy" and had no fear of gossip, having wasted too much time in life to be coy. Admiring her daughter's forthrightness, Madam Lu gave Lu Anran the hairpin her husband had given her when they were married, encouraging her to seize her own happiness.
She suggested Lu Anran invite Mu Chuan for dinner that evening, as she and Lu Qingzhou were returning to Su City tomorrow. At the spring ploughing ceremony, Lu Anran saw the new rice Mu Chuan had cultivated, which he called "An Assuring Rice." She guessed its meaning: "Enjoy an assuring life without worrying about famine," a sentiment that was indeed the lifelong pursuit of many commoners.
Mu Chuan confirmed her interpretation but then revealed the deeper, more personal meaning: the first "An" in the rice's name was from "Anran." He reminded her that the wider world was her true place, but she remained trapped in Hanjing. He explained his childish hope that by spreading this rice across Dahan, it would be as if her footprints graced every inch of the nation. He admitted that the name "An Assuring" was truly born from his own private intentions.
Mu Chuan acknowledged the Lu family's precarious situation but declared his indifference to power and fame, viewing them as transient. He stated unequivocally that Hanjing was not his destination, but Lu Anran was. Meanwhile, a servant reported to Madam Lu that two groups were causing chaos at the wharf, both claiming the same batch of goods with valid bills of lading.
With Lu Qingzhou away on business, Madam Lu decided to handle the "trivial thing" herself, instructing the servant not to bother Lu Anran, as she needed to prepare dinner. At the wharf, Madam Lu attempted to restore order, insisting on adherence to rules. However, the crowd, perceiving the Lu family's weakening influence, ignored her, mocked her as just a woman, and violently scrambled for goods. In the ensuing riot, Madam Lu was tragically killed.
At the spring ploughing ceremony, a family member rushed to inform Lu Anran and Mu Chuan of the disaster. Lu Anran was overcome with shock and a sense of horrifying déjà vu, remembering her mother's death in her previous life on her wedding day. Rushing back to the Lu family estate, she found a memorial hall already set up for her mother, Shen Lanxi.
Refusing to believe her mother was truly gone, she frantically ordered her maids, Holly and Lingxi, to summon doctors from all of Hanjing, and even the entire Great Han if necessary. Lu Qingzhou tearfully confirmed that Madam Lu had passed away. Overwhelmed by grief, Lu Anran, seeing her mother's memorial tablet, tearfully urged Mu Chuan to leave. In prison, Cai Wangjin learned of Madam Lu's death.
He sent a message to Mu Ze, along with an old dagger given to him by Mu Ze many years ago, and a severed finger, requesting a meeting. A flashback revealed a younger Mu Ze encountering Cai Wangjin, who was then a desperate beggar attempting to steal food from a corpse.
Mu Ze gave him a dagger and inspired him to reclaim his dignity and earn his own way, a kindness Cai Wangjin never forgot, dedicating his life to serving Mu Ze ever since. Now, in prison, Cai Wangjin told Mu Ze he sought not forgiveness, but to warn him about Lu Anran. He suggested that ever since Lu Anran allied with them, all their plans had mysteriously failed, implying sabotage.
Though he had no direct evidence, Cai Wangjin argued that this only proved Lu Anran's meticulousness, leaving no trace. He cited various incidents: the mysterious disappearance of the "barefoot doctor" who had cured Lu Anran, Chai Guang's impossible escape from prison (his chains cut by a tool he couldn't have possessed), and the annihilation of Mu Ze's secret guards by the Qinghe Gang with evidence of mine bombings, all pointing to Lu Anran's indirect involvement.
Mu Ze questioned Lu Anran's motive, given their intertwined fates. Cai Wangjin theorized that Lu Anran had orchestrated Lu Xinran's marriage to Prince Qing, and all her subsequent actions were ultimately designed to extricate the Lu family from its political quagmire. Lu Anran wept before her mother's coffin, questioning why her strenuous efforts to change the past had still failed to save her mother, and what was the purpose of all her struggles.
Mu Chuan found her, offering comfort and assuring her, "All of it is not your fault." Lu Anran lamented that while many lived "in beds of roses," she alone suffered "a bed of thorns," questioning why God would punish her family for her mistakes. Mu Chuan gently held her, promising that "It will get better." Despite her anguish, questioning how much harder she needed to work to make things right after all her endeavors, he reaffirmed, "It will definitely get better."
Episode 17 Recap
Cai Wangjin informed Prince Qing Mu Ze that he had gone to Princess Consort Lu Xinran's inner court because a maid named Cuicui had reported the Princess Consort intended to commit suicide. He adamantly denied any illicit relations with the Princess Consort, expressing regret that he had become an unwitting pawn in Lu Anran's scheme against Mu Ze.
To emphasize the truth of his words, Cai Wangjin then took his own life with a dagger, hoping his death would compel Mu Ze to take his accusations seriously. Mu Ze, upon witnessing the act, solemnly stated that he would speak with Cai Wangjin after his own death and bid him a safe journey. Mu Ze’s subsequent investigation revealed that Cuicui had indeed been sent away, with her last known location being Lu Wharf, suggesting she had left the city.
Realizing Lu Anran had orchestrated these events to free the Lu family from their predicaments, Mu Ze vowed to thwart her plans. Meanwhile, Lu Yun angrily confronted Lu Anran, accusing her of being cold-blooded and solely driven by money, especially for exploiting their mother's recent funeral to secure the Lu family's business. He questioned her transformation, lamenting that she now seemed to view everyone around her as tools.
His anger intensified when he found the mentally unstable Lu Xinran locked in her room, crying out that Lu Anran was responsible for her plight. Hearing Lu Xinran's accusations, Lu Yun's trust in his elder sister completely eroded. Lu Anran, sensing his disbelief, chose not to explain further. Dong Qing secretly followed Lu Yun after he left the mansion and discovered he had gone to Xiao Ying's barracks.
Lu Anran was heartbroken to learn that Lu Yun had indeed joined the army. Before her mother's spirit tablet, she swore to bring Lu Yun safely out of the military camp and back to Su City. She then went to the camp, but Lu Yun refused to see her. Realizing she couldn't directly intervene, Lu Anran sought help from Prince Qi Mu Chuan, drawing inspiration from Dong Qing's mention of new recruit deployment.
Mu Chuan was facing difficulties with wealthy landlords refusing to relocate for his river diversion project. Lu Anran suggested using Xiao Ying's fresh recruits to deal with these stubborn landlords, believing their inexperience would make them fearless. She also took this opportunity to ask Mu Chuan to help extricate Lu Yun from the new recruits' camp. Mu Chuan, happy to assist Lu Anran, readily agreed.
Mu Chuan then visited Xiao Ying at the military camp to request the recruits for the river diversion. Anticipating Xiao Ying's reluctance, Mu Chuan had already secured an imperial edict from the Emperor, leaving Xiao Ying no grounds for refusal. Lu Yun, upon learning of his transfer, confronted Mu Chuan, accusing him of acting dishonorably to assist Lu Anran. Mu Chuan admonished Lu Yun, emphasizing that protecting the country wasn't exclusive to being a soldier.
He highlighted Lu Anran's significant contributions, such as resolving a two-decade drought in Yizhou by funding a river diversion, and risking her life in Li City to help it flourish. Mu Chuan stressed that Lu Anran's current calculating behavior was born of desperation. As the sole remaining male in the Lu family, Lu Yun had a responsibility to shoulder their burdens like a man.
Convinced, Lu Yun agreed to Mu Chuan's assignment: overseeing the relocation of private residences along the river. Separately, a subordinate reported to Prince Qing Mu Ze that Prince Yi was using a drug called Five Stone Powder, found in his private residence on Five Miles Street, to control his officials. Mu Ze also learned from Xiao Ying that Mu Chuan had taken Lu Yun away with an imperial edict.
Determined to retrieve Lu Yun for his own schemes, Mu Ze ordered that Prince Yi's private residence, where the drug was discovered, be added to the demolition list for the river project. Later, Lu Anran was informed that Lu Yun had been transferred to Mu Chuan's camp and was diligently assisting with relocations. She expressed profound gratitude to Mu Chuan for bringing Lu Yun back and for his understanding of her difficult circumstances.
She apologized for involving him in court affairs, which he disliked. Mu Chuan, however, reassured her, stating that while he had no interest in court intrigues, he deeply cared for the people Lu Anran held dear and would protect them alongside her. A commotion then erupted at the Lu mansion as Lu Xinran, in a mad frenzy, burst out of her room, snatched Madam Lu's memorial tablet, and hurled it into the water.
She also blamed Lu Anran for everything, deeply distressing Lu Qingzhou, who ordered her to be locked up again. Mu Chuan accompanied a distraught Lu Anran to a temple to enshrine Madam Lu's tablet. Dong Qing, observing Mu Chuan's unwavering support, advised Lu Anran to lean on him for help rather than enduring everything alone. Mu Chuan then planted a wish tree, whispering a prayer that the one he loved would find her own love and live a happy life.
Lu Anran, seeing the nameless wish tag, realized that this was the very tree from her previous life, planted by Mu Chuan for her, and understood the depth of his unspoken affection. He later affirmed that his wish to Buddha was for her to get everything she desired. Lu Anran, in turn, wished for her family's safety and freedom from danger. As Lu Anran and Mu Chuan prepared to leave the temple, they were unexpectedly met by Mu Ze.
He provocatively declared that the Lu family's good fortune had run out, implying their misfortunes were self-inflicted. Before departing, he chillingly advised Lu Anran to pray to Buddha for the safety of her brother, Lu Yun. That night, Lu Anran awoke from a nightmare of Lu Yun in peril.
Soon after, a guard from Prince Qing's mansion reported that Lu Yun had been involved in a conflict with Prince Yi's men during the demolition of the private residence on Five Miles Street. Fortunately, General Xiao Ying had intervened, and Lu Yun was now recuperating in the army camp. Lu Anran immediately surmised Mu Ze's hand in this incident, realizing his earlier words at the temple were a direct warning. She rushed to Prince Qing's mansion, but was denied entry.
Determined, she waited outside the gate all night. The next morning, Mu Ze found her there and questioned her intentions. Lu Anran confronted him, questioning the convenient timing of Lu Yun's conflict with Prince Yi's men and Xiao Ying's rescue. Mu Ze admitted to his machinations, stating that while Lu Anran might find ways to remove her brother from the army, he had a thousand ways to send him back.
He warned her that if she continued to resist, he could not guarantee Lu Yun's safety. He reiterated his intention to restore everything to its original state, declaring that Lu Anran was now only fit to be his concubine. Later, Mu Chuan confronted Mu Ze, attempting to secure Lu Yun's release from the army. Mu Ze cut him off, explaining that Prince Yi's private pharmacy had been destroyed by Lu Yun.
He warned that Prince Yi was vindictive and would ensure Lu Yun met a gruesome end if he left the military camp. Mu Chuan, unable to argue further, could only appeal to Mu Ze to protect Lu Yun, unaware of Mu Ze's deeper, sinister plans. Meanwhile, Lu Anran arrived at Prince Qing's mansion once more, firmly stating her refusal to marry him as a concubine or to take her own life.
Episode 18 Recap
Lu Anran adamantly refused to marry Mu Ze as a concubine, vowing she would die before agreeing. When Mu Ze questioned her apparent indifference to Lu Yun's fate in the military, Lu Anran reminded him that Lu Yun was only her half-brother, whose biological mother had tried to poison her and whose sister had repeatedly attempted to kill her. She declared herself a selfish person with no obligation to sacrifice her lifelong happiness for him.
While she had previously wished for Lu Yun to take a stable path out of a big sister's concern, she now believed everyone had their own destiny. If he truly wanted to be a soldier, she would not stop him, acknowledging that contributing to the nation was a good thing. Mu Ze noted her unexpected answers. Later, Lu Anran watched her father, Lu Qingzhou, mourn her mother, Shen Lanxi.
She urged Lu Qingzhou to take Lu Xinran and Shen Lanxi's ancestral tablet back to Su City, explaining that Hanjing was an unstable place and she did not want him to live in constant fear. Lu Qingzhou, convinced that they could not defeat their powerful adversaries, pleaded with Lu Anran to return with him to Su City to protect their family and live out their remaining years peacefully. Lu Anran explained that once one enters Hanjing, leaving is not simple.
She insisted she would only return after ensuring Lu Yun abandoned his ambition to join the army, so their family could be reunited. She asked her father to leave first for his safety, which would ease her worries. Lu Qingzhou, before departing, advised her to take care of herself and not sacrifice her well-being for others, promising to await her return in Su City.
The next day, as Lu Anran was seeing Lu Qingzhou off, General Xiao Ying's soldiers surrounded them. Xiao Ying announced they had received a report accusing Lu Qingzhou of close ties with Beilin and suspicion of treason and collaboration with the enemy. Lu Qingzhou vehemently denied the charges, but Xiao Ying ordered a search. The soldiers quickly uncovered a secret letter.
Xiao Ying then publicly listed Lu Qingzhou's alleged crimes: privately selling arms to Beilin, monopolizing salt and iron, and deliberately delaying military supplies while manipulating grain prices. He declared the evidence conclusive, the crimes unforgivable, and that the entire family should be executed. Lu Anran was horrified, but Lu Qingzhou, maintaining his composure, told her not to intervene, claiming that "a clean hand wants no washing" and urging her not to worry about him as he was led away.
Lu Anran immediately suspected that Lu Xinran was the mole in the mansion. Rushing to Lu Xinran's room, she found it empty, with a brazier still warm from recent use. A note was left behind, stating, "The next one is your brother." Fearing for Lu Yun, Lu Anran decided to head to the military camp. She instructed Lingxi to await news at the mansion and asked Holly to seek help from her brother and the Qinghe Gang.
However, Lu Anran was ambushed and abducted en route. Lingxi later turned to Mu Chuan for help, who, along with Shen Changqing and Holly's gang, launched a widespread search. They confirmed Lu Yun was still at the military camp, realizing the note was a diversion. Meanwhile, Lu Anran woke up to find herself trapped in a coffin, facing Lu Xinran, who had orchestrated her kidnapping.
Lu Anran accused Lu Xinran of faking her insanity, which Lu Xinran admitted to, stating she had to act like a fool to escape her shame and avenge her biological mother. She then confessed to killing Shen Lanxi, Lu Anran's mother, explaining that she had exploited a wharf riot—caused by Mu Ze's illicit salt dealings which Lu Anran had inadvertently exposed her to—to commit the murder.
Lu Xinran bitterly expressed that Lu Qingzhou, the servants, and even Lu Yun, all favored Lu Anran, claiming that all her own malevolent actions were "forced by you." She further lamented that even as Prince Qing's Princess, Mu Ze's attention remained solely on Lu Anran. Lu Xinran then put Lu Anran in a red dress, vowing to bury her alive and curse her to never reincarnate or see her mother again, before ordering the coffin to be covered.
Lu Xinran returned to Prince Qing's Mansion, where Mu Ze praised her for framing the Lu family but questioned her loyalty. Lu Xinran suggested she could remarry him under Lu Anran's name. When Mu Ze learned she had buried Lu Anran alive, he was enraged and furiously demanded to know the location. After he threatened to disfigure her, Lu Xinran pretended to agree to lead him there but only stalled for time.
She confronted him, claiming they were both the same—only ever loving themselves. Seeing his desperation, she realized he truly loved Lu Anran. As her final act of revenge against him, she refused to tell him where Lu Anran was and committed suicide by jumping from the city wall. Trapped, Lu Anran struggled for survival. In her final moments of despair, she regretted her contentious last encounter with Mu Chuan.
She reflected on how fate had given her a chance to relive her life, questioning why she had been so obsessed and unable to abandon everything to be with him. Meanwhile, Mu Chuan, investigating Lu Xinran's room, found burnt paper scraps. Deducing a clue, he consulted a geomancer, who identified a sinister location. Recalling a faint cry he might have heard earlier in that vicinity, Mu Chuan ordered his men to dig. They frantically uncovered the coffin.
Mu Chuan, with his own hands, tore open the lid and rescued the barely conscious Lu Anran. Mu Ze arrived a step too late, seeing Lu Anran safe in Mu Chuan's arms, and left without approaching. Mu Chuan took Lu Anran back to the Lu mansion. Holly informed him of the false accusations against the Lu family.
Mu Chuan promised to help clear their name before the Emperor, acknowledging the difficulty, as the framer, Lu Xinran, was now dead, making it a complex dispute. He instructed Holly to tell Lu Anran not to worry, for he would handle everything. Before heading to the palace, he reiterated that no matter what happened, he would be there for her. Despite Holly's attempts to stop him, Mu Ze burst into Lu Anran's room.
He watched the unconscious Lu Anran, hesitating as Lu Xinran's dying words echoed in his mind: "You obviously love Lu Anran, but you torture her and suspect her. In front of her, you feel inferior like a dog." When Lu Anran awoke, startled, Mu Ze quickly masked his concern, accusing her of setting him up and seducing Mu Chuan.
He then threatened her with her father's fate, revealing Lu Qingzhou was suffering a relapse in prison and that his life depended on her choice. Lu Anran denounced his despicable methods, but Mu Ze retorted that all means were justified. He demanded she become his concubine, threatening to make her "the dog of Prince Qing's Mansion" if she refused. He declared his hatred for her, vowing to torment her with the methods she despised most.
He gave her three days to consider, but Lu Anran defiantly declared she would never marry him. Mu Ze grimly warned her that even as a ghost, she would belong to Prince Qing's Mansion.
Episode 19 Recap
Mu Chuan reported to the Emperor, explaining that Lu Qingzhou had been framed for secretly colluding with the North. He revealed that his investigation showed Lu Xinran, Lu Qingzhou's own daughter, had deliberately orchestrated the scheme for revenge. Mu Chuan implored His Majesty to deliver justice for Master Lu. The Emperor, aware that Prince Qing was already investigating the matter, was surprised Mu Chuan had unearthed information.
Mu Chuan clarified that he had simply stumbled upon the truth: Lu Xinran was not insane but sought revenge due to a grudge. When asked about Lu Xinran, Mu Chuan confirmed she had jumped to her death, leaving no direct evidence. The Emperor reflected on the sisters' actions, questioning if it was a desperate family feud or a veiled attempt to expose the Lu family's true intentions, asking if Mu Chuan had clarified this.
The Emperor then presented his terms: if the Lu Family relinquished their entire shipping business to Dahan, he would dismiss the accusations as a mere family farce, thus ensuring Lu Qingzhou's safety. Mu Chuan vehemently opposed this, accusing the Emperor of "taking advantage of their difficulty" and "grabbing with power."
He passionately argued that it was unjust to seize the assets of the Lu Family, who had built their success from nothing through countless hardships, and that such an act would dishearten merchants across the nation. The Emperor countered that a "tiny merchant" controlling Dahan's crucial waterways was unacceptable, especially when the royal family itself relied on them for shipping, and he could not ignore such a threat.
Desperate to help the Lu family, Mu Chuan sought out Mu Ze, asking him to join him in court to testify and help clear their name. However, Mu Ze dismissed the idea, asserting that no one could sway the Emperor's decision, and that the Lu Family, controlling Dahan's shipping lifeline, had already been shown great mercy by being allowed to thrive for so long. He concluded that the Emperor would never let such an opportune moment slip away.
Mu Chuan, enraged by Mu Ze's cold calculation, accused him of condoning "grabbing with power" and questioned how the Emperor could exploit their misfortune. Mu Ze simply stated, "This is royal politics. If I were His Majesty, I would do the same." Unable to reconcile with Mu Ze's pragmatic view of power, Mu Chuan angrily departed. Unknown to Mu Chuan, Mu Ze harbored his own designs.
His subordinate, Nanxing, expressed worry that if Lu Anran accepted the Emperor's terms, they would lose all influence over her. However, Mu Ze revealed that he still held Lu Xinran's forged letter. He intended to use this evidence to clear the Lu family's name, but only if Lu Anran humbled herself before him. He anticipated that Mu Chuan would not remain passive and would escalate the situation, thereby hindering the Emperor's complete takeover of the Lu family's assets.
Mu Ze wondered whether Lu Anran would ultimately bow to him or to the Emperor, confident that her intelligence would guide her choice. Meanwhile, Ling Xi informed Lu Anran that Lu Xinran's body had been sent to Su City for burial and shared her concern about Lu Qingzhou's imprisonment. She also relayed Mu Chuan's assurance that he would find a solution. Lu Anran, however, expressed a premonition that any reversal of fortune might come at a steep personal cost.
Inquiring about the family business, Lu Anran received dire news from Ling Xi: Lu Xinran's actions had caused a severe downturn, leading to the Lu Family struggling to make ends meet for the first time in memory, with the Hanjing Wharf having to use deposits to pay its shipmen. The only silver lining, Ling Xi noted, was that many shipmen were resigning, which ironically helped balance the books.
Lu Anran promptly issued a series of directives: all existing goods must be delivered swiftly, the managers of the thirty-six ports were to finalize their current orders, no new orders were to be accepted this month, and a crucial meeting would be held at the Lu's Mansion in Hanjing on the first day of the next lunar month.
Despite Ling Xi's report of widespread rumors about the Lu Family's impending collapse, Lu Anran firmly declared that as long as she stood, the Lu Family would not fall. She privately lamented how close she had been to leading the Lu Family's fleets to safety in a distant land. Mu Chuan met with Lu Anran, asserting, "What belongs to you is yours. I won't let others take away your belongings."
Lu Anran, however, questioned, "What if I volunteer to send them away?" She acknowledged his tireless efforts throughout the day, recounting how he had visited Prince Qing's mansion, hoping he would serve as a witness, and then the Hanjing Mayor's mansion to investigate the forged letter of collaboration and search for any evidence related to the North. She then directly asked him about the outcome of his endeavors.
Reflecting on the situation, Lu Anran cited a proverb: "Things that are hard to come by are often hard to lose; things that are easily come by are often easy to lose," musing that perhaps fate deemed her path too easy. Mu Chuan pressed, asking if she was truly willing to abandon what she had built "little by little." Lu Anran confessed, "Of course not," but quickly added, "But living is more essential than anything. Isn't it?"
Mu Chuan, feeling powerless, expressed his deep frustration: "Although I am Prince Qi, I don't own military power. I can't safeguard you at all. You are willing to depend on me. But as for this issue, I can't help you with anything. I have never felt worthless as I felt today." He reflected on his past disregard for power, stating, "I thought such a thing unimportant.
But today, I understand that having a soft underbelly, I should use power as my armor." He then sought her counsel: "Anran, should I strive for this thing?" Lu Anran admitted she couldn't provide an answer. While acknowledging that people often live and die for power, she believed that "as long as you don't change your original aspirations, means are only tools."
Finally, Lu Anran declared her intention to meet the Emperor the following day, and Mu Chuan readily agreed to arrange it. The next day, Lu Anran was granted an audience with the Emperor. The Emperor, observing her, commented on her youth and her unexpected rise as the head of the Lu Family, noting that she appeared ordinary but acted with remarkable capability. Lu Anran humbly attributed their success to "a stroke of luck," denying any desire for personal recognition.
She then presented the Emperor with the Twin Fish Token, the symbol of authority over the thirty-six ports' ships, and the official transfer agreement, formally relinquishing control of the Lu family's shipping business to the crown. When the Emperor asked if she was truly willing, Lu Anran responded that just as all citizens bowed to His Majesty, so too did the Lu Family, and their possessions were now the Emperor's. She "didn't dare to be unwilling."
Impressed by her astuteness, the Emperor remarked that he "would like to talk with the intelligent." Lu Anran then requested to continue managing the Lu Family's shipping operations. She reasoned that Dahan's waterways were complex, and finding an immediate replacement would be difficult, potentially leading to disarray and tarnishing the reputation of the business she had built. Furthermore, she implied that the Emperor himself would not want the shipping enterprise to become a political pawn in courtly power struggles.
When subtly questioned about her ties to Prince Qing, Lu Anran cleverly stated that the Lu Family had offered no assistance to Prince Qing even at their peak, and now, with their reputation in tatters, they were utterly useless to him, effectively distancing herself from any imperial faction. The Emperor granted her request and invited her to walk with him. During their stroll, the Emperor inquired if Mu Chuan had ever spoken about his mother.
He then recounted his past: he had fallen in love with Mu Chuan's mother at first sight and, driven by his passion, had commanded his entire military force to her city gates, compelling her to marry him as his concubine. Despite his lavish treatment, she remained indifferent, even refusing to acknowledge Mu Chuan after his birth.
Ultimately, upon hearing that her true love had died in battle, she had hanged herself in the very spot she received the news, choosing to follow him in death. The Emperor lamented that both his former concubine and now Mu Chuan were "trapped by love," comparing them to birds, some of whom grow accustomed to captivity while others yearn even more for freedom.
He revealed that Mu Chuan, much like his mother, had professed his love for Lu Anran, declaring, "I like Lu Anran. In a way that I will marry no one but her," and had pleaded in court on the Lu family's behalf because he "didn't want to see her anxious." The Emperor dismissed such affections, likening them to seasonal comforts that lose their utility, and instructed Lu Anran to understand this.
He then sternly warned her, "I want you to stay away from Chuan. After you leave the court, you can't meet him anymore," adding a veiled threat that if she were to speak with Mu Chuan again, dire consequences would follow. He then announced that Lu Qingzhou, being "old and infirm," would be permitted to return to Su City for a peaceful retirement.
However, his ultimate peaceful passing, the Emperor underscored, would depend entirely on Lu Anran's unwavering loyalty to Dahan. Lu Anran, confronting the Emperor, questioned if he intended to inflict the same pain on Prince Qi as he had on the princess of the South. The Emperor retorted that she was unworthy of Mu Chuan's future, declaring, "Chuan is not yours but Dahan's," and commanded her to "Behave yourself."
As heavy snow fell, Lu Anran emerged from the palace, the Emperor's words echoing in her mind: "I want you to stay away from Chuan. After you leave the court, you can't meet him anymore. You don't deserve Chuan's future. Chuan is not yours but Dahan's." Simultaneously, chilling memories of Mu Ze's past threats resurfaced, where he had vowed to make her his concubine or even a "dog" in his mansion, asserting that she could never escape his control.
She relived the anguish of her previous life, the betrayal and the tragic end of her family, questioning why the suffering of that decade was now tormenting her anew. Feeling trapped within an "enormous cage" of "endless intrigues," Lu Anran reflected that "some caged birds are doomed to die in cages."
An inner voice, seemingly her past self, echoed the sentiment that she had "nowhere to escape" unless she could "upend the end that Mu Ze is not the emperor anymore," for otherwise, she would remain bound to him forever. This voice accused her of being naive, asking if she regretted her choices and asserting that "all of this is wrong from the beginning."
It claimed that no matter what she chose, she would never escape Mu Ze's grasp, nor could she save the Lu Family, only "get drown deeper and deeper," urging her to "face your destiny." Defiant, Lu Anran rejected this, vowing, "No. It's not. I will figure something out eventually. I will know how to save the Lu Family."
She realized that even with the chance to relive her life, fate offered no mercy, only repeated warnings, strengthening her resolve to challenge her unfair destiny. Lu Qingzhou was subsequently released and returned home. He immediately inquired about Lu Anran's ordeal and if anyone had caused her trouble. Lu Anran tearfully apologized for relinquishing the Lu Family's business to the royal family. Lu Qingzhou, however, assured her, "You did your best."
He reflected on his own past, recalling how he had built the family fortune from nothing and, despite its rise, had always resisted entanglements with powerful figures, now regretting if his virtuous stance had inadvertently caused her hardship. Having "figured it out," he declared, "Power and prosperity are water under the bridge. Just let them go. That a family stay together is better than anything," urging her to "give up everything" and return with him to Su City.
Lu Anran, however, firmly stated she "can't go back" yet, urging him to take care of his health. She promised to return and care for him once she "ends the disputes in Hanjing City," emphasizing, "I must take another shot." When her father again inquired about her well-being, Lu Anran, though admitting she couldn't escape her predicament, declared, "I won't go down without a fight. For the Lu Family or me, I must overturn the world."
Her father then pressed her on who she would choose among the difficult options, including Prince Qing, to which she responded that authority "shouldn't be the next best choice," preferring "no one than the worse." She reassured him, "Dad, you have to believe there will be a day when we meet again."
Meanwhile, Nanxing informed Mu Ze that Lu Anran had indeed surrendered the Twin Fish Order to the Emperor, thus resolving the immediate crisis for the Lu Family and removing Mu Ze's leverage over her. Mu Ze, genuinely surprised by her drastic action, praised Lu Anran's "boldness." He speculated that she had relinquished the entire shipping business to avoid marrying him, deeming her "cruel and resolute."
He then instructed Nanxing to dispatch a death squad to closely monitor Lu Qingzhou, vowing that he would "never let you fulfill your wishes easily." Ling Xi brought distressing news to Lu Anran: her brother had discovered that Mu Ze had secretly assigned men to follow Lu Qingzhou. Lu Anran expressed a deep weariness, feeling that despite always seizing "head starts," she invariably found herself "skating on thin ice, getting deeper and deeper."
She chastised herself as "only a smart aleck" and "too innocent," lamenting the lack of "firmness and control" in the world, where resolving one crisis only spawned another. She confessed to Ling Xi that she was simply tired, having only wished to protect the Lu Family, yet now feeling she had "protected no one and get nowhere to hide as well." Ling Xi gently reassured her that she had "tried her best."
Meanwhile, Mu Chuan's subordinate reported that Master Lu has arrived in Su City and informed him that while Lu Anran had surrendered the Twin Fish Order, the Emperor, impressed by her capabilities, had allowed her to retain management of the Lu's shipment, a decision deemed mutually beneficial.
The subordinate expressed hope that Lu Anran could "get over it," suggesting that without the heavy burden of the Lu family's fate or the need to advise Prince Qing, the "concerns between you and her" might lessen. Mu Chuan, however, believed Lu Anran had been "cornered" into her decision and "must grieve," feeling his inability to help her meant he couldn't even contemplate their future.
Later, as Ling Xi prepared for Lu Anran's meeting with Mu Chuan, she happily noted Mu Chuan's cheerful demeanor and encouraged Lu Anran to be more proactive in her affections. Ling Xi observed that Lu Anran "escape your minds all the time," while Mu Chuan "likes you publicly," yet Lu Anran "always conceal your minds without a confirmation." She asked directly if Lu Anran liked Mu Chuan.
Lu Anran likened Mu Chuan to "that bright moon," acknowledging that encountering him was her "only consolation" during her arduous journey. Yet, she felt she "couldn't try to shoot for the moon," believing he was destined to "shine bright in the sky as radiantly as the sun." Ling Xi, simplifying matters, urged her to simply meet him, share meals, and "always meet each other," excitedly preparing Lu Anran's attire.
However, Lu Anran harbored a secret, somber thought: tomorrow would be the last time, perhaps the last in this life, for Mu Chuan to stir her heartstrings. The next day, Lu Anran met Mu Chuan. Noticing his gaze, Lu Anran teased him, asking why he looked so surprised when Hanjing was full of more beautiful ladies, implying he hadn't seen enough of the world. Mu Chuan explained he was surprised because her attire was different from usual.
He then presented her with a handmade wooden rabbit lantern as a gift, asking her to open it only after she returned home, which piqued her curiosity. They decided to take a stroll, finding themselves at a market stall selling dingsheng rice cakes. Lu Anran recalled eating soft and sweet versions in Li City, remarking that these were tougher. The vendor, however, insisted on the authenticity of his recipe.
Mu Chuan, understanding the craft, explained that dingsheng rice cakes demanded immense patience, careful sifting of flour, and steaming each layer, implying the vendor's cakes likely suffered from shortcuts. Intrigued, Lu Anran decided to try making them herself. They worked together, sifting flour and grinding rice, a task Lu Anran found "interesting" but "a bit tired." Mu Chuan, ever attentive, insisted she leave "such physical work" to him.
An elderly woman at the stall, mistaking them for a married couple, urged Lu Anran to wipe the sweat from her "husband's" face and criticized her for being lazy, warning that their family would "collapse sooner or later" once children arrived. Mu Chuan, amused, quickly corrected her, explaining that in their household, Lu Anran was in charge and earned far more than he did; his "small business" merely supplemented her income.
The old woman remained critical, dismissing contemporary women as "all lazy." When Lu Anran finally tasted Mu Chuan's handmade dingsheng cake, she exclaimed, "Yummy!" Mu Chuan, pleased, promised to make them for her every day if she liked them. That evening, by the lake, Mu Chuan noticed Lu Anran observing him, to which she playfully replied that the madam from the market had commented on his handsomeness.
Mu Chuan sensed her contemplative mood, and Lu Anran confessed her weariness with worldly troubles, lamenting having missed tranquil "moonlight" moments like these. She expressed a desire to simply "drink alcohol and admire the moon," admitting that she once considered "drinking, shopping and idling" a waste of time, but now found them "good as well." Mu Chuan, understanding her previous disdain for such "boring pastimes," was surprised by her change of heart.
Lu Anran clarified, "The rarest thing in the world is to waste your time for others. I know how precious it is." Lu Anran then proposed they share "love at first sight" stories, to which Mu Chuan agreed, offering to go first.
Lu Anran began her story, narrating the tale of "Miss Wang" from Su City, who, at eighteen, fell for a guard and secretly became engaged, only for it to become a "love suffering she couldn't go through in this life." Miss Wang believed God had given her a second chance to be with her true love, but instead, it merely forced her to "ponder over her stupid love at first sight."
Mu Chuan, when asked for the ending, speculated that Miss Wang "seemed to return to be back where she was," but ultimately "she'd better abandon all and enjoy her every single day." Lu Anran concurred, adding, "Because she had no other choices." However, Lu Anran then offered her own "perfect" ending to the story: Miss Wang "stayed with the one whom she desired to live with forever. Since then, they lived seclusion, not caring about the world."
She mused that Miss Wang was "magnanimous" and only temporarily blinded by hatred, recognizing that "the past and the future both aren't the present," and excessive dwelling on them would "compromise today's scenery." Changing the subject, Lu Anran asked Mu Chuan what he would do if he had a second life. Mu Chuan replied he "wouldn't be a prince anyway," preferring to be "a person with a horse knocked around the splendid world."
Lu Anran then shared her own wish: "If I had a second life, I would like to marry one person. Grew old together after long missing. Stayed ordinary to death so as to avoid being picked up by God for an ordeal." When Mu Chuan asked about her earlier promised "love at first sight" story, Lu Anran pretended to forget, promising to tell him "afterwards," adding, "There's much time ahead of us"—a poignant lie given her true intentions.
She then unveiled a surprise for Mu Chuan: fireworks. As they lit them, Lu Anran expressed her heartfelt wish that one day, Mu Chuan's "improved rice will spread all over Hanjing," transforming "the golden fields" to be "as stunning as the fireworks." When Mu Chuan asked where she would be then, she replied, "I believe we will witness the day together," yet another bittersweet statement hinting at a future she knew she might not share with him.
Episode 20 Recap
Mu Chuan returned Lu Anran to her residence, acknowledging the late hour and encouraging her to rest. Lu Anran expressed her gratitude for the fireworks, calling it the most special gift she had ever received. Mu Chuan, pleased she liked it, promised to share his own story with her another time. He then kissed her forehead, confident she would cherish his gift, which he suggested she open later in her room.
As he left, he bid her "see you tomorrow," unaware that Lu Anran silently thought that after tomorrow, she feared he wouldn't see her again. Later that night, Lu Anran arrived at Prince Qing's Mansion, where she was announced to Mu Ze. Mu Ze questioned her late visit, to which she responded that after three days, she had come to announce her choice.
Mu Ze reminded her that she had previously chosen to give up her family's shipping rather than marry him, implying the Lu family's new status as royal merchants had changed things. Lu Anran declared, "I'll marry you." She proposed to become his concubine as he desired, on the condition that he would set the Lu family free and ensure their safety. Mu Ze, suspecting her motives, asked what she was "scheming again."
Lu Anran explained that she was tired of the constant struggles and royal machinations, citing the Emperor's threat against her father and Mu Ze's surveillance of her family. She asserted that she had no choice and had suffered enough from the danger that felt like "knives and axes hanging" over them. She reiterated her plea for the safety of her family once she became his wife.
To solidify her commitment, Lu Anran cut a lock of her hair, symbolizing their union, and implored Mu Ze to honor his promise. As she left, she inwardly lamented that after walking out of that door, only her body would remain in this world. The next morning, Mu Chuan arrived at the Lu family residence to find it festively decorated. He inquired and was shocked to learn from a servant that Lu Anran was to marry Prince Qing.
Frantically, he rushed to Lu Anran's boudoir, calling her name and demanding she come out. Dong Qing tried to block his entry, explaining that Lu Anran was busy preparing for her wedding and wished to see no one, urging Mu Chuan not to make things difficult. Mu Chuan, however, persisted, questioning why Lu Anran would marry his second brother and asking if she was being forced. He offered to help her if she had anything difficult to say.
Ling Xi, inside, pleaded with Lu Anran to go see Mu Chuan, warning that he was "going crazy." Lu Anran remained steadfast in her refusal. Dong Qing relayed Lu Anran's message: she had survived a disaster, and now she finally knew who she truly loved, asking Mu Chuan to leave. Mu Chuan pressed, asking if she truly loved his second brother.
Dong Qing advised him to consider Lu Anran's reputation as she was about to become a part of Prince Qing's Mansion, and his persistent attempts to enter her boudoir with so many people watching would compromise her standing. Mu Chuan, desperate, asked Dong Qing, as Lu Anran's confidante, why Lu Anran had changed so drastically overnight. Dong Qing insisted that Lu Anran, in making such a life-altering decision, was simply following her heart.
She acknowledged Mu Chuan's affection for Lu Anran but stated that Lu Anran only regarded him as a "bosom friend." Mu Chuan scoffed at this, asking who would want to be just a bosom friend when he clearly wanted to marry her. Dong Qing further advised that Lu Anran had someone else in her heart, and Mu Chuan's continued pursuit would only bring him more pain.
Mu Chuan struggled to accept this, repeating to himself that Lu Anran had "figured it out," but he couldn't. Inside, Lu Anran wept silently, but refused Ling Xi's plea to stop Mu Chuan before he left. Ling Xi, seeing Lu Anran's sadness, confronted her, asking why she would reject Prince Qi despite her obvious affection for him.
Lu Anran sternly instructed Ling Xi to remember that she and Prince Qi had no feelings for each other, "from beginning to end," and warned her to be cautious of what she said and did within Prince Qing's Mansion.
Ling Xi, however, reminded her of their recent spring outing, the fireworks Lu Anran prepared for him, the rabbit lantern Prince Qi personally made that Lu Anran cherished, and the bracelet she always wore, all signs of her deep fondness for him. Ling Xi couldn't comprehend why Lu Anran would marry Prince Qing if she was so fond of Prince Qi. Lu Anran cut her off, refusing to discuss it further.
Ling Xi grew angry, accusing Lu Anran of becoming a completely different person since her hair-pinning ceremony, claiming the "old Miss" would never speak to her this way. She insisted that she might not understand everything, but she clearly saw Lu Anran's feelings for Prince Qi. Lu Anran sharply retorted that her feelings and marriage were none of Ling Xi's concern.
Hurt, Ling Xi declared that Lu Anran was no longer her Miss, as her real Miss would never speak to her like that. Lu Anran later met with Mu Ze and requested not to reside within Prince Qing's Mansion after their marriage. She explained that she wished to avoid vying for his favor with others in the mansion and simply desired peace and quiet.
Mu Ze retorted that his mansion was neither a nunnery nor a place for a peaceful life. He questioned if she truly wanted nothing, to which Lu Anran reaffirmed that her only wish was for the Lu family's safety. She promised to be a compliant concubine if he kept his word. Mu Ze remarked that he preferred her to want something from him rather than simply "behave herself."
Lu Anran then proposed to live in her current residence, which was only a wall away from Prince Qing's Mansion's backyard, and suggested breaking down the wall to connect the two. Mu Ze agreed to her residing there but stipulated that she would still enter through the back door of his mansion, emphasizing that as a concubine, she must adhere to the rules. Lu Anran assured him she would fulfill his wishes.
Mu Ze then pressed her to definitively sever ties with Prince Qi, as he knew of Prince Qi's deep feelings for her. Lu Anran claimed she had already made it clear to Prince Qi, but Mu Ze deemed it insufficient, urging her to find a way to make Prince Qi give up.
He warned her against showing tears within the mansion, threatening that if she lost his interest, he would withdraw his marriage offer and instead torture her beloved younger brother, Lu Yun. Mu Chuan sought solace at Shen Changqing's home, drinking heavily in the pouring rain. Shen Changqing urged him to stop, expressing concern over his excessive drinking.
Mu Chuan confessed he was there for "peace and quiet," lamenting that despite sincerely treating someone who asked him to wait and promised a way out, his efforts had ended up catching "a bubble" that disappeared instantly. He questioned if he had done something wrong, struggling to understand why, after one mistake, Lu Anran was marrying someone else. Shen Changqing realized Mu Chuan was speaking of Lu Anran.
Mu Chuan, in his drunken despair, declared there was "no more Miss Lu" because his heart was dead. Shen Changqing tried to take the wine away, but Mu Chuan resisted, eventually collapsing with a high fever. Shen Changqing immediately called for Doctor Liang, who diagnosed Prince Qi with a cold and prescribed medicine, warning against further drinking. Believing Lu Anran was the only cure for Mu Chuan's "anxiety," Shen Changqing sent someone to fetch her.
However, his assistant returned to report that Lu Anran refused to open her door upon hearing Prince Qi wanted to see her, leading Shen Changqing to believe they had a severe quarrel. Concerned for Mu Chuan's life, Shen Changqing ordered his assistant to try again, while Mu Chuan, delirious with fever, repeatedly called out Lu Anran's name, pleading with her to wait for him.
Xiao Jingque, after seeing the festive decorations, confronted Mu Ze, asking if the rumors about him taking a concubine were true and if it was Lu Anran. Mu Ze confirmed it, stating that marrying Lu Anran was a "stopgap." Xiao Jingque questioned the utility of marrying Lu Anran now that the Lu family's assets had been seized by the Emperor. Mu Ze sharply retorted, asking if his decisions now required her questioning.
Xiao Jingque insisted she was acting for his sake, but Mu Ze accused her of merely not wanting another woman to compete for his favor, reminding her as a member of a general's clan, she should avoid such "small family tricks." Xiao Jingque, in tears, confessed her "tricks" stemmed from her love for him.
She pointed out the scandal caused by Lu Xinran had already made the mansion a laughingstock, and marrying Lu Anran, her sister, would only fuel rumors that Mu Ze was "bewitched by tenderness" and unable to bear heavy responsibilities, especially after the Emperor already held such views when he married Lu Xinran using his military exploits. Mu Ze, angered by her outspokenness, struck her, declaring he had tolerated her enough and found her greedy.
He then roughly ordered her to "piss off." As Xiao Jingque left in tears, she vowed that if Lu Anran entered the mansion, she would ensure her life would not be happy. Mu Ze visited Xiao Ying at the military camp. Xiao Ying initially feigned busyness with border conflicts and claimed to have no time to monitor Prince Yi's faction, apologizing to Mu Ze.
Mu Ze, however, countered, subtly threatening by mentioning his "agents in your army" and accusing Xiao Ying of quickly learning the court officials' tricks to avoid crucial topics. He urged Xiao Ying to get straight to the point, reminding him of their years fighting together. Xiao Ying then expressed his disappointment in how Mu Ze had treated his sister, Xiao Jingque, and the Xiao family, despite their friendship and his sister's love for Mu Ze.
Mu Ze asked what Xiao Ying wanted for his sister. Xiao Ying, declaring his desire to give his only sister the best, demanded that Xiao Jingque be made the Princess Consort of Prince Qing's Mansion. In return, Mu Ze inquired about the troops allocated to the southern region.
Xiao Ying assured him they would be returned as scheduled, sealing the agreement: from tomorrow, Xiao Jingque would be the mistress of Prince Qing's Mansion, and the Xiao family would fully support Mu Ze's ambitions. After Mu Ze had decorated Lu Anran's residence with rabbit lanterns, knowing she liked them, Lu Anran sent her thanks through a servant. Later, Dong Qing expressed regret for her harsh words to Prince Qi, acknowledging his deep sadness.
She asked if their actions were truly necessary. Lu Anran affirmed that they were, explaining that her previous hesitation and dreams of having both love and security had led to endless slander. She described marrying the ruthless Mu Ze as "walking on ice," where she could not afford any flaws or allow anyone to exploit her weaknesses.
Dong Qing, now understanding Lu Anran's profound hatred for Prince Qing, conceded that she had witnessed his horrific nature and acknowledged that once entangled with him, escape was impossible. Lu Anran declared her resolve to make Mu Ze pay back everything he had made her lose, "one by one." Shen Changqing, worried about Mu Chuan, personally arrived at the Lu residence after his earlier attempts to invite Lu Anran were rebuffed.
Lu Anran tried to dismiss him, stating she wouldn't see Prince Qi. Shen Changqing insisted, describing Mu Chuan's dire state: high fever from the heavy rain, delirious in bed, unable to take medicine, and constantly calling out her name. Dong Qing remarked that men can handle rain, suggesting a doctor instead. Shen Changqing countered that no doctor could cure Mu Chuan's "anxiety," for which Lu Anran was the "antidote."
He chastised Lu Anran for punishing Mu Chuan, emphasizing that everyone knew of Prince Qi's affection for her. He gave her an ultimatum: come willingly or be kidnapped. Lu Anran, knowing she had to face the situation, agreed to go with him. On their way, Shen Changqing explained to Lu Anran that despite Mu Chuan's carefree demeanor and travels, he carried deep pain from losing his mother early in his royal upbringing, a pain he couldn't share with anyone.
Shen Changqing recalled Mu Chuan once telling him he didn't want to be a prince, finding true freedom and simply being "Mu Chuan" only when he was with Shen Changqing, and asking Shen Changqing to call him "Chuan" instead of "Your Highness." Shen Changqing concluded by telling Lu Anran that she was the first person Mu Chuan had ever shown such genuine affection for since they met.
Episode 21 Recap
Lu Anran visited Mu Chuan, but her eyes avoided his. She explained her presence was a favor to Leader Shen and stated plainly that she considered him only a close friend. She clarified that her true love was his second brother, Mu Ze, and that she was marrying Prince Qing. Mu Chuan, in disbelief, reminded her of their shared moments and promises, asking if someone was forcing her.
Lu Anran insisted no one was, and that she had simply "figured it out herself," dismissing their past as mere friendly gestures. She apologized if she had ever given him the wrong impression and explained that she realized her true feelings for Mu Ze only when she was buried alive by Lu Xinran, seeing his face in her despair, and that these feelings had long been hidden by their prior agreement.
Devastated, Mu Chuan demanded to know what he meant to her, but Lu Anran, having delivered her painful truth, simply advised him to compose himself. As Lu Anran's carriage departed, Mu Chuan, despite his illness, desperately rode his horse to catch up. He questioned why she still wore the bracelet he had given her if she had no feelings for him. Lu Anran asserted she wore it only for its exquisite design and accused him of overthinking its meaning.
To make him completely give up hope, she removed the bracelet and tossed it aside, declaring that their relationship, like the discarded jewelry, was now broken. Back at the mansion, Lingxi was visibly disheartened. Dong Qing comforted her, explaining Lu Anran's heavy burdens, noting that with her father in Su City and her brother in the military, she and Lingxi were Lu Anran's only close companions in Hanjing.
Lingxi, tearfully, stated she was not angry with Lu Anran, but deeply heartbroken for her. She began preparing red bean soup, a dish that always seemed to lift Lu Anran's spirits. Dong Qing explained that Lu Anran had chosen Prince Qing because she had "more important things to do" than stay with Prince Qi. Lingxi, understanding the gravity of the situation, resolved to become smarter and more reliable to better support Lu Anran.
Meanwhile, Mu Ze found Mu Chuan drinking heavily, suffering from a high fever. He urged his brother not to harm his own health. Mu Chuan, consumed by pain, confessed that he had sworn he would never give up on Lu Anran, no matter whom she married, as long as her bridal sedan had not yet entered the gates. He expressed his profound disbelief and agony that she was marrying Mu Ze, his own brother, a fate he never anticipated.
He reflected that he thought providence was granting him a second chance after missing her in Su City, but ultimately, what was destined to be missed would be missed. Later, Lu Anran discovered that the grapevine Mu Chuan had personally planted in her courtyard had withered, accidentally killed by paint waste.
This reminded her of Mu Chuan's deep care, his efforts to grow her favorite Su City grapes despite the challenge in the North, and his past vows of unwavering support. Overwhelmed with regret, she realized she could not bear to lose the bracelet after seemingly having lost him and their future together. Despite the darkening night, she set out to retrieve it, telling Dong Qing she "has no tomorrow" and could not lose this last tangible connection.
At the same time, Xiao Jingque, enraged by Prince Qing's evident favor for Lu Anran and the physical connection between their properties, arrived at the Lu Mansion. She accused Lu Anran of being a "coquette" deliberately seeking to ensnare the Prince and vowed to assert her own status. She confronted Lingxi, demanding to know Lu Anran's whereabouts. Lingxi bravely refused, reminding Xiao Jingque that she was not yet the princess.
Incensed, Xiao Jingque ordered her maids to destroy the wedding decorations, including beloved rabbit lanterns. When Lingxi tried to protect the grapevine, Xiao Jingque pushed her, causing Lingxi to fall and strike her head on a stone, killing her. Fearing she had caused serious harm, Xiao Jingque and her entourage quickly fled. Lu Anran, having found the bracelet, returned to her mansion to find it in disarray and Lingxi lying dead in a pool of blood.
Cradling her beloved maid, Lu Anran was consumed by sorrow and expressed a newfound hatred for the color red, which now symbolized blood and tragedy. She began tearing down all the red wedding silks, lamenting that she could not properly mourn Lingxi because she herself was compelled to don a red gown and marry into Prince Qing's Mansion, with no possibility of turning back. The next morning, after Lingxi was buried, Dong Qing brought a disheveled Lu Anran back inside.
Lu Anran tried to eat the now-spoiled red bean soup Lingxi had prepared for her. Mu Ze arrived, angrily knocking the bowl away, accusing her of using Lingxi's death to scheme against him, just as she had faked poisoning before her first wedding. Lu Anran fiercely denied plotting, asserting her genuine grief for Lingxi, who had grown up with her, and called Mu Ze callous for only seeing "dirty means."
Mu Ze coldly warned her to control her emotions and reiterated that she "must" marry him tomorrow. Mu Chuan's attendant later informed him of Lingxi's death. He came to the courtyard, where he overheard Lu Anran's anguished confessions as she burned offerings for Lingxi. She blamed herself, admitting, "I plotted Lu Xinran's substitute marriage, I considered everyone, but I didn't consider Lingxi."
She expressed deep regret that their last conversation was an argument and that she had kept her plans from Lingxi out of fear for her impulsive nature. Mu Chuan, hearing only these partial admissions, completely misunderstood her true motives, believing her to be heartless and manipulative. He recalled past moments, questioning which version of Lu Anran was real, feeling he never truly knew her.
Unaware he was listening at first, Lu Anran saw him and rationalized that this painful revelation would help him break away from her completely, believing it was for the best for them both. A profound voiceover reflected on life, likening it to a river that always finds its way, never stopping, even if its path is obstructed. This poignant metaphor contrasted with Lu Anran's helplessness in altering the tragic fates of those around her.
In her deepest despair, Lu Anran reached her hand into the burning paper offerings for Lingxi, asking if the physical pain might awaken her from her nightmare. Dong Qing quickly pulled her back, terrified. Seeking a final, definitive closure, Mu Chuan requested Mu Ze's permission to personally escort Lu Anran to the Prince Qing Mansion for the wedding. Mu Ze, after a moment of hesitation, agreed.
On the day of the wedding, a veiled Lu Anran, adorned in scarlet, was informed by Dong Qing that it was Mu Chuan who had come to welcome her. Mu Chuan, acting on Prince Qing's orders, formally greeted her as the bride, and Lu Anran acknowledged him with a solemn "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Qi."
As Lu Anran and Mu Chuan proceeded, townspeople openly gossiped, speculating that she was marrying Prince Qing to save her family after her sister's disgrace, and accusing her of being a "coquette" who had long secretly harbored feelings for Mu Ze. Mu Chuan, hearing their harsh words, reflected that he never truly understood her resilience or the depth of her supposed hidden affection for his brother.
To bring a definitive end to his own hopes, Mu Chuan asked Lu Anran three direct questions. He asked if her entire plan, from Su City to Hanjing, including fabricating her sister's affair, was solely to protect the Lu family. She confirmed it. He then asked if he himself was part of her calculations, to which she again affirmed.
Finally, he asked if the Snow Cicada and Gelsmium elegans he had provided were for her to poison herself as part of the substitute marriage plan. Lu Anran once more confirmed. Devastated, Mu Chuan confronted her, accusing her of being ruthless enough to sacrifice her life, ignore friends, harm family, and exploit his genuine affection to achieve her goals.
Lu Anran, maintaining her hardened demeanor, replied that he had been mistaken about her, and now that she had been honest, he could finally give up. Before she crossed the threshold, Mu Chuan asked if she truly had no regrets. Lu Anran firmly stated, "No regrets." The solemn moment marked a cruel twist of fate, as the high walls of Prince Qing's Mansion now separated their worlds. Mu Chuan was left behind, unable to enter the world she now inhabited. For Lu Anran, as she trapped herself within this opulent cage, the vast world outside seemed to instantly lose all meaning.
Episode 22 Recap
On their wedding night, Lu Anran, still visibly upset, faced Mu Ze. He presented her with the jade pendant that had once been a token of their affection, expressing his genuine desire to build a life with her. When Lu Anran remarked on his usual abstinence from alcohol, Mu Ze decided to make an exception for her that night and share a deep, painful secret.
He revealed that at the age of eight, on the orders of Consort Liang, he was forced to bring a glass of poisoned wine to his biological mother. He clarified that Consort Liang was not his true mother; she had used his mother to gain her status and then sought to eliminate her.
His mother, unwilling for his hands to be stained with her blood, snatched the glass and drank it herself, dying tragically before his eyes and later having her body disposed of in a well. This trauma explained his aversion to wine, as it constantly reminded him of her death. He also shared his resentment towards the Emperor, who knew of these events but remained indifferent, seeing Mu Ze only as "the disgrace of his one-time thing."
Mu Ze then declared that he had no more secrets from Lu Anran and expressed his hope that from that night on, they would share honor and disgrace as husband and wife. He drank the cross-cupped wine, calling it a symbol of his sincerity and true love.
He acknowledged their past unpleasant experiences but emphasized her new position as his concubine, promising to protect the entire Lu family and asking her to accompany him in fulfilling his grand dream, offering her "endless glory and great pride." Lu Anran, however, remained cold and emotionless, offering herself to him like a "dead body."
Frustrated by her detached demeanor, Mu Ze became enraged, stating he wanted her heart, not a lifeless shell, and warned her not to challenge his patience before leaving the room. Confident that Mu Ze’s pride would prevent him from being interested in someone so unresponsive, Lu Anran believed she had won the first battle of their marriage.
Meanwhile, Mu Chuan, who had tirelessly cultivated the Anxin rice, received news that his fields were suffering from a severe bacterial wilt, causing the nearly ripe crops to wither rapidly. His workers explained that the only way to prevent the spread of the disease was to burn the infected crops and start anew. Faced with the heartbreaking decision, Mu Chuan ordered the fields to be set on fire.
As the flames consumed the rice, he reflected on his failed relationship with Lu Anran, symbolizing the destruction of their shared aspirations and his hopes for their future together. He recalled that the name "Anxin Rice" was indeed deeply personal, derived from "Anran," and concluded that this devastating loss signaled the end of his feelings for her. Elsewhere, Xiao Jingque, now Princess Consort, was consumed by jealousy over Mu Ze's marriage to Lu Anran.
Her maid tried to reassure her, reminding her of her superior status, but Xiao Jingque insisted that she desired Mu Ze's heart above all else. When Mu Ze arrived at her court, she immediately questioned him about drinking with Lu Anran and complained about Lu Anran's perceived disrespect.
Still vexed by Lu Anran's coldness on their wedding night, Mu Ze gave Xiao Jingque permission to "teach her well" how to be a concubine, granting her free rein to assert her authority without having to "tread on thin ice" around Lu Anran. Earlier, Lu Anran had taken a sterilization medicine, accepting that she would never bear children.
Her maid, Dong Qing, was saddened, but Lu Anran calmly explained that she couldn't afford to leave herself any room for retreat if she was to achieve her goals. She reiterated that there was no longer any possibility of a future with Mu Chuan and that she was acting with singular courage. She noted that it was the seventh day after Ling Xi’s death, and it was time for Xiao Jingque to pay for her actions.
The following morning, Lu Anran arrived to serve tea to Xiao Jingque, as was customary for a new concubine. Xiao Jingque deliberately made her wait for an hour and then ordered a maid to heat the teacup with boiling water, demanding that Lu Anran serve the scalding tea with both hands to prove her "sincerity." Lu Anran endured the pain, but intentionally dropped and shattered the cup. She then knelt on the broken porcelain pieces, begging Xiao Jingque for punishment.
Flustered and suspicious of Lu Anran's unusual submission, Xiao Jingque quickly dismissed her. Knowing that this "punishment" was actually a subtle warning from Mu Ze, Lu Anran deliberately walked along the path where Mu Ze regularly practiced sword fighting. When Mu Ze saw her limping, he inspected her injured knees, immediately recognizing that the cuts were from sharp objects, not a simple fall. Lu Anran feigned innocence, claiming she accidentally tripped on sharp stones.
She then humbly knelt before him, confessing her fear and helplessness in the mansion, implying that she had been wronged and hinting at Xiao Jingque's cruelty by mentioning Ling Xi's death at the "Princess's hands." She questioned the effectiveness of her own "means and schemes" if they couldn't prevent Ling Xi's death, expressing her fear that she might not wake up if she were to fall asleep.
Mu Ze, seemingly placated by her apparent vulnerability, reassured her that as his woman, no one would dare to harm her without his explicit command. Meanwhile, Xiao Jingque was admiring an exquisite jadeite bracelet among the many congratulatory gifts she had received upon her elevation to Princess Consort. Butler Liu, eager to curry favor, informed her that Lu Anran had used her injuries to gain Mu Ze's sympathy and attention.
Enraged that Lu Anran had resorted to such "torture herself for pity" tactics, Xiao Jingque immediately marched to Lu Anran's court with her nanny, intending to deliver a harsher lesson. She ordered her nanny to whip Lu Anran, disregarding Dong Qing's pleas. Just as the punishment was about to commence, Mu Ze arrived. Lu Anran seized the moment to openly accuse Xiao Jingque of pushing Ling Xi to the ground, causing her to bleed to death.
Xiao Jingque, genuinely shocked and flustered, tried to defend herself, claiming she had only "slightly pushed" Ling Xi and was unaware of her death. Lu Anran then pointed to the jadeite bracelet on Xiao Jingque’s wrist, identifying it as a rare "icy jadeite from Jiaodong," so valuable it could buy ten of the Lu family's mansions. She scornfully asked if Ling Xi's life and the mansion's reputation were worth less than Xiao Jingque's fleeting pleasure in a costly trinket. Enraged by Xiao Jingque's cruelty and greed, Mu Ze ordered her to kneel immediately at the exact spot where Ling Xi had died—under the grape trellis.
Episode 23 Recap
Having accepted bribes and murdered Ling Xi out of jealousy, Xiao Jingque was brought before Mu Ze, who ordered her to kneel. Mu Ze condemned her behavior, stating that the court was investigating corruption and her actions were shortsighted and arrogant, unworthy of a Princess Consort. He decreed that she would kneel under the grapevines for a full day and night to reflect on her actions.
As he left, he looked at Lu Anran, warning her not to let him see her tormented in such a way again. Lu Anran, alone, whispered to Ling Xi's spirit, promising that Xiao Jingque would keep vigil and atone, hoping Ling Xi would wait for her at the Naihe Bridge. Later, Dong Qing attempted to serve Xiao Jingque dinner, but Xiao Jingque refused it, deeming it hypocritical.
Dong Qing persisted, stating it was proper etiquette, and pointed to the stone where Ling Xi had died, suggesting Ling Xi would be grateful for the offering. This deeply disturbed Xiao Jingque. Her head housekeeper, Rong Pei, advised her to endure the humiliation to win back Mu Ze’s favor, emphasizing the importance of acting with the magnanimity expected of a Princess Consort. Xiao Jingque then ordered all valuable gifts to be returned to avoid further trouble.
Lu Anran, seeing the temporary peace in her courtyard, knew it wouldn't last. Meanwhile, Mu Chuan had been restless since Lu Anran’s marriage. His subordinate expressed concern for his health and then reported that Prince Yi, displeased with his manor being demolished, had forcibly seized many farmers' fields in the northern part of the city, even causing deaths.
Mu Chuan, compiling a list of Prince Yi's crimes, intended to report them to the Emperor and have the Capital Governor handle the matter, believing his water conservancy projects were indirectly involved. Xiao Ying visited his sister, Xiao Jingque. He asked if she had been wronged, but she falsely assured him that Mu Ze treated her well and didn't favor Lu Anran. Xiao Ying, satisfied, suggested she host a family banquet to display the dignity of a proper mistress.
Xiao Jingque eagerly agreed. Soon after, Rong Pei delivered an invitation for the banquet to Lu Anran and Mu Chuan. Though Mu Chuan was initially reluctant due to his dam construction work, he agreed to attend when Rong Pei stressed the importance of honoring the newly appointed Princess Consort. Mu Ze, upon hearing Xiao Jingque was organizing the banquet and had invited both Lu Anran and Mu Chuan, praised her for handling the matter well.
On their way to the banquet, Lu Anran and Dong Qing's lantern went out. While Dong Qing went to fetch another, Mu Chuan appeared and offered to light the way for Lu Anran. However, Lu Anran politely declined, citing propriety between a brother-in-law and sister-in-law and the risk of gossip in the prince's estate. Mu Chuan, acknowledging her point, left his lantern for her before proceeding to the banquet.
There, he presented Mu Ze with osmanthus cakes from the farmers and began discussing Prince Yi's land seizures and his intention to report it to the Emperor. Mu Ze interrupted him, suggesting the timing was not yet right, just as Lu Anran arrived. At the banquet, Xiao Jingque welcomed Lu Anran and publicly offered a toast as an apology, hoping they could now get along and serve Mu Ze together. Lu Anran responded with politeness.
Xiao Jingque then proposed a toast to Mu Ze, but he refused, stating that some ceremonial wines could only be drunk once. This statement visibly affected Mu Chuan. Xiao Jingque then feigned curiosity about how Mu Ze and Lu Anran came to be together, expressing envy for their "affection." Mu Chuan also voiced his curiosity. Lu Anran then took it upon herself to explain, fabricating a story about falling in love with Mu Ze in Su City.
She claimed a quarrel led to the substitute marriage, as she had mistakenly believed Mu Ze was only interested in the Lu family's wealth and she desired a husband who loved her wholeheartedly. She further explained that she only realized her mistake when Mu Ze was furious about being tricked into marrying her younger sister, Lu Xinran.
Lu Anran then described how the Lu family's decline, her father's imprisonment, and the seizure of their shipping business left her devastated, and it was Mu Ze's pity that offered her a peaceful life. Mu Chuan, listening to this elaborate tale, felt a pang of betrayal, believing he had been foolish not to see through Lu Anran's supposed deep feelings earlier, and felt he and Mu Ze had been cruelly deceived.
Xiao Jingque then offered to arrange a suitable marriage for Mu Chuan. He politely declined, stating that he had not yet established his career and also that he already cared for someone. At this, Lu Anran dropped her wine cup. Mu Chuan further clarified that he and this woman were fated to meet but not to be, and he understood his "wishful thinking" had to end. Mu Ze rebuked Xiao Jingque for asking too many questions.
Mu Chuan eventually pledged to seek her help for a marriage arrangement once his current affairs were settled. As the banquet concluded, and Mu Chuan prepared to leave after admiring the moonlight, Rong Pei reported to Xiao Jingque that the bracelet's origin couldn't be traced, reinforcing Xiao Jingque’s suspicion that Lu Anran had plotted against her. Enraged, Xiao Jingque slapped Lu Anran, and Mu Chuan instinctively moved to shield her.
Xiao Jingque publicly accused Lu Anran of framing her with the untraceable bracelet. Lu Anran countered, questioning how she could have predicted Xiao Jingque would wear the bracelet and cause a scene in her courtyard. Xiao Jingque appealed to Mu Ze for justice. Mu Ze, however, reminded Xiao Jingque that even if the bracelet was planted, she had still accepted other gifts.
Lu Anran, weary of the conflict, declared she would fight back if provoked, as she was not one to be bullied. Xiao Jingque then insulted the Lu family, calling them "street rats." Mu Ze, angered by Xiao Jingque’s ongoing defiance and public display, ordered Rong Pei to escort the Princess Consort back to reflect on her actions. Xiao Jingque protested her punishment, but was led away.
Mu Chuan, disgusted by the inner-courtyard strife, informed Mu Ze they should conduct future meetings in the study, apologizing for the embarrassing spectacle. As he departed, Mu Chuan wondered if Lu Anran was truly content with a life of petty jealousies within the confined walls of the manor. Later, Mu Ze personally tended to Lu Anran's swollen face. He admitted to being pleased by her display of jealousy, saying it made her resemble her old self.
He asked if she was behind the bracelet incident; when she remained silent, he assured her he wouldn't blame her, as it pleased him to see her engage in such "harem women's petty tricks." Lu Anran stated she disliked causing trouble but would not be bullied. Mu Ze announced he would stay the night but promised not to force her, acknowledging that she didn't yet view him as her husband or the residence as her home.
He vowed to wait patiently, believing he would eventually win her over. Separately, Mu Chuan's subordinate reported new deaths among farmers in the northern district, with one victim's neck cleanly snapped, suggesting military expertise. Mu Chuan ordered an investigation into a possible military connection. Meanwhile, two maids gossiped about the Su City green grapes growing in Lu Anran’s courtyard, noting that Prince Qi personally cared for them.
Xiao Jingque overheard this, and linking it to Mu Chuan's earlier confession of loving someone he couldn't be with, she suspected an affair and ordered Rong Pei to investigate thoroughly. Dong Qing, preparing grape jelly cakes, inadvertently confirmed to a probing maid that the grapes were indeed a gift from Prince Qi. Realizing the maid was a spy, Dong Qing reported this to Lu Anran, who remained unconcerned about Xiao Jingque.
Mu Ze, thinking of Lu Anran's homesickness, sent her dishes prepared by a Su City chef, but Lu Anran found no joy in them, comparing herself to a bird in a gilded cage. Dong Qing also mentioned the escalating farmer deaths due to Prince Yi, and Mu Chuan's connection to the water conservancy project.
Rong Pei confirmed Xiao Jingque's suspicions, detailing Lu Anran and Mu Chuan's past activities, including "strolling and moon-gazing" and "drowning sorrows in Su City," and their respective devotion to the grapevines and peace-bringing rice, confirming their deep affection which Mu Ze seemed oblivious to. Xiao Jingque wanted to expose them immediately, but Rong Pei cautioned against acting without concrete evidence, given Lu Anran's persuasive abilities.
Since Lu Anran and Mu Chuan were now avoiding each other, Rong Pei suggested creating an unavoidable encounter. Mu Chuan's subordinate reported that Xiao Ying's camp personnel were seen near the northern farmlands. This information, coupled with Mu Ze's earlier remark about the "timing not right" for reporting Prince Yi, made Mu Chuan suspect Mu Ze's involvement. He decided to visit Prince Qing's residence.
The steward guided him to the study, and Xiao Jingque, informed of his arrival, confirmed her "foolproof" plan was ready, hoping to sow even the slightest doubt about Lu Anran in Mu Ze's mind.
Episode 24 Recap
Steward Liu arrived at Lu Anran's courtyard, conveying Prince Qing Mu Ze's request for her presence in the study for a discussion. He then cunningly distracted Dong Qing by asking for a medicinal prescription, claiming he had a slight cold and wished to review her formula. Lu Anran, understanding the ruse, instructed Dong Qing to assist Steward Liu, thus ensuring she would go to the study alone.
Meanwhile, Mu Chuan was already in the study examining official documents when he heard the door open. He expected to see Mu Ze but was surprised to find Lu Anran. Immediately after she entered, the study door was locked from the outside. Lu Anran quickly realized this was a scheme orchestrated by Xiao Jingque to stage an adultery scandal. She noted that storming out would only confirm the accusations.
Mu Chuan, reflecting on his past feelings, admitted he had once been confused, hurt, and angry, but he now understood that their beautiful shared memories were the most cherished. He told Lu Anran he had truly liked her, but had since let go, and genuinely wished for her happiness. Lu Anran shed a tear and apologized.
Recognizing their compromised situation, Lu Anran asked Mu Chuan to turn his back to maintain propriety between a sister-in-law and brother-in-law alone in a room. Shortly after, Xiao Jingque rushed to Mu Ze, who had just returned to the mansion, to report that Lu Anran and Mu Chuan had trespassed into his study. She exaggerated her distress, claiming she had no choice but to lock them inside to await Mu Ze's judgment, knowing that his study was strictly off-limits.
Steward Liu corroborated her story, claiming to have witnessed their unauthorized entry and stating that all the household servants could testify. Mu Ze headed to the study and ordered the doors opened. Inside, Lu Anran feigned innocence, expressing her relief at Mu Ze's arrival and her confusion as to why she was locked in. Mu Ze directly questioned Lu Anran, who stated she had been summoned by the steward.
Mu Chuan interjected, accusing Xiao Jingque of using him as a tool to condemn Lu Anran, and declared he would be too ashamed to ever visit the mansion again if that were the case. Mu Ze allowed both Mu Chuan and Lu Anran to leave. Xiao Jingque, furious that her plan had failed, then openly accused Lu Anran and Mu Chuan of having a private affair and admitted to orchestrating the incident.
Mu Ze sternly chastised Xiao Jingque, making her kneel and reminding her of her place as Princess Qing. He forcefully slapped her face, warning her that Lu Anran and Mu Chuan were not to be trifled with or exploited, and that such schemes would cost her her position. Still fuming, Mu Ze ordered Steward Liu to be beaten to death with a staff for his complicity and commanded the other conspiring servants to slap themselves until they bled as punishment.
Later, Mu Ze visited Lu Anran, bringing autumn chrysanthemums to adorn her courtyard. He commented on the barren grapevines, subtly alluding to Mu Chuan's past gesture, and suggested that chrysanthemums were simpler to care for. He asserted that if she could meticulously tend to a difficult grapevine, these chrysanthemums would be no trouble. Lu Anran understood that Mu Ze's words carried a veiled warning, acknowledging his resentment towards her past with Mu Chuan.
She expressed that everything requiring meticulous care in the mansion became a liability for her. Mu Ze challenged her heartbroken demeanor, pointing out that she never fully trusted him, believing he only saw through Xiao Jingque's tricks rather than truly believing in her innocence. He claimed her passive stance was a tactic and warned her to cherish his gifts. Both Mu Chuan and Lu Anran had secretly copied the list of names they saw in Mu Ze's study.
Lu Anran entrusted her copy to Dong Qing to deliver to Shen Changqing, while Mu Chuan dispatched his subordinates to protect the farmers on the list. Dong Qing later informed Lu Anran that Shen Changqing had successfully rescued the farmers, though he had encountered Mu Chuan during the rescue. Lu Anran admitted she anticipated Mu Chuan would seek the list in the study and had asked Shen Changqing to ensure his safety.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ying reported to Mu Ze that the attempt to assassinate the farmers had been thwarted by "Jianghu figures" who seemed to know their plans. Mu Ze, connecting this to Lu Anran's recent presence in his study and her deep relationship with Shen Changqing of the Qinghe Gang, suspected her involvement. He ordered Shen Changqing's arrest, planning to use him as bait to lure Lu Anran and observe her reaction.
Lu Anran soon received a message, accompanied by Shen Changqing's personal jade pendant—a keepsake from his mother he never parted with—requesting a meeting at a suburban villa. Lu Anran deduced it was a trap set by Mu Ze, signifying Shen Changqing was under their control but likely safe for the time being. Resolved to rescue Shen Changqing, Lu Anran devised a plan. She confronted Xiao Jingque, accusing her of sending the deceptive message to frame her for an illicit meeting.
When Xiao Jingque vehemently denied it, Lu Anran further provoked her by suggesting Xiao Ying was behind it. To prove her brother's and her own innocence, Xiao Jingque reluctantly agreed to accompany Lu Anran to the suburban villa. Concurrently, Mu Chuan also realized that the mysterious individual who had helped rescue the farmers was Shen Changqing. At the suburban villa, Xiao Ying was surprised by his sister's arrival.
Lu Anran immediately accused Xiao Ying of meddling in the mansion's inner courtyard affairs and conspiring with his sister to frame her. She vehemently denied any collaboration with Shen Changqing to betray Prince Qing, declaring that she had severed all ties with him before entering the mansion and casting him as an "impulsive, brainless person" incapable of disrupting Mu Ze's plans.
Shen Changqing, tied up, angrily retorted that he knew nothing of any plans, and merely intervened to save lives in Qinghe Gang's territory, expressing his disappointment in Lu Anran for abandoning her integrity. At this point, Mu Ze emerged. Lu Anran confronted him, accusing him of never trusting her. Mu Ze defended his suspicion, citing the rapid rescue of the farmers after Lu Anran's presence in his study.
To prove her loyalty, Lu Anran seized a sword from Xiao Ying's side and, knowing Shen Changqing's heart was on his right side, plunged it into Shen Changqing's left chest. Mu Chuan arrived just in time to witness this. Enraged, Mu Chuan retaliated by stabbing Lu Anran before quickly taking the seriously wounded Shen Changqing away.
Despite her injury, Lu Anran stated that she accepted Mu Chuan's sword strike as a means to alleviate his pent-up resentment, and that everything she did was for Mu Ze. Later, a doctor informed Mu Chuan that Shen Changqing's sword wound had providentially missed his heart by an inch, and he would recover with three months of rest. Old Chen, a rescued farmer, confirmed to Mu Chuan that Shen Changqing had saved them.
Qinghe Gang members, led by Old Six, were furious and wanted to seek immediate revenge on Prince Qing. Mu Chuan, however, urged them to remain calm, promising to secure justice for Shen Changqing. Lu Anran's apparent sacrifice finally swayed Mu Ze. He visited her, expressing regret for his suspicions. He promised to let go of their complicated history and try to trust her. Lu Anran, exhausted, asked him to leave.
Immediately after Mu Ze left, Lu Anran sent Dong Qing to check on Shen Changqing. Dong Qing found Mu Chuan with her injured brother. Mu Chuan revealed that Lu Anran was the one who stabbed Shen Changqing. Shocked, Dong Qing nevertheless defended Lu Anran, insisting there must have been a crucial reason and arguing that Lu Anran had gone to the villa to save her brother from a trap that would have killed them both.
When Dong Qing learned from Mu Chuan that he had wounded Lu Anran, she angrily confronted him, questioning if he truly misunderstood their young mistress, or if she had tragically misjudged him.
Episode 25 Recap
Lu Anran waited anxiously in the courtyard, her body still aching from the recent injury, until Dong Qing returned with the reassuring news that her brother, Shen Changqing, was out of danger. Only then did Lu Anran allow herself to relax, a wave of tears washing over her. Dong Qing, seeing Lu Anran’s distress, embraced her warmly and comforted her. Meanwhile, Mu Ze discussed recent events with Xiao Ying.
Xiao Ying voiced concern that the Prince of Qi might disrupt their plans, but Mu Ze dismissed it, asserting that Mu Chuan's handful of tenant farmers were insignificant. He believed that once Mu Chuan calmed down, he would remember their brotherhood and refrain from extreme actions. Instead, Mu Ze urged Xiao Ying to caution his sister, Xiao Jingque, reminding him that her "pampered and willful" nature should not let her "family intrigues" interfere with their "great cause."
Xiao Ying readily agreed, assuring Mu Ze that he was "never confused" about their ultimate ambition. Later, Lu Anran confided in Dong Qing, explaining that she had resorted to a dangerous maneuver because Mu Chuan had not appeared. She assured Dong Qing that she had aimed her sword to avoid Shen Changqing's vital organs, knowing his heart was on the right side.
Dong Qing, however, felt a deep chill toward Mu Chuan for hurting Lu Anran, despite Lu Anran insisting that Mu Chuan's misunderstanding would help sever their emotional ties. Privately, Lu Anran was still saddened by the misunderstanding. She reflected on the "piercing stab" she had received, realizing it was a painful consequence of her path. She acknowledged that Mu Chuan, having previously looked up to Mu Ze "like he was his father," was now disillusioned.
This situation, Lu Anran realized, created an opportunity. Seeing the growing cracks in the alliance between Mu Ze and Xiao Ying, she devised a plan to "kill two birds with one stone," using Dong Qing as a strategic "knife" to leave the mansion. She believed Xiao Ying would no longer tolerate her after the recent incident concerning his sister, making her departure a logical step.
Dong Qing expressed concern about Lu Anran being alone, but Lu Anran urged her to trust her. When Mu Ze arrived at the mansion, Lu Anran and Dong Qing staged a dramatic argument. Lu Anran loudly "expelled" Dong Qing, accusing her of being a "worthless maid" who was "ungrateful" for being saved from "going astray." Dong Qing, playing her part, countered by blaming Lu Anran for her brother's injury and calling her "ungrateful."
Mu Ze intervened, ordering his guards to execute Dong Qing for her insolence. Lu Anran quickly interceded, proposing that sending Dong Qing back, as an exchange for her own act of stabbing Shen Changqing, would make them "even" and prevent future retribution. Mu Ze conceded, ordering Dong Qing to "get out." Mu Ze then inquired about Lu Anran's injury.
She deflected, suggesting he should be more concerned about Mu Chuan, whose deep disappointment in her mirrored his disillusionment with Mu Ze. Mu Ze, confident in his strong bond with Mu Chuan, dismissed her concerns. However, Lu Anran subtly suggested he check Xiao Ying's barracks, mentioning that Dong Qing had heard Mu Chuan had gone there to pursue the murderers.
True to Lu Anran's words, Mu Chuan, accompanied by the tenant farmers and his guards, arrived at Xiao Ying's military camp, demanding justice for the murdered farmers and calling for an "improvement of military discipline." Xiao Ying questioned Mu Chuan's evidence. Mu Chuan presented himself as a witness to Xiao Ying's attempt to kill Shen Changqing and stated the farmers had also seen the culprits. He insisted that all soldiers be brought out for identification.
Xiao Ying tried to intimidate Mu Chuan by invoking Prince Qing's name, but Mu Chuan remained firm, declaring that "no matter who it is," anyone who "disregards the law and human life" would "be punished accordingly." Exasperated, Xiao Ying deemed the farmers "unruly multitudes" who "broke into the barracks, spreading rumors and making a scene," and ordered his archers to shoot them, claiming the Emperor would not object.
Mu Chuan and his guards bravely shielded the farmers from the arrows, with Mu Chuan sternly warning Xiao Ying that harming innocent civilians would lead to "punishment and bad karma." When the soldiers hesitated, Xiao Ying cruelly forced Lu Yun to draw his bow and aim at Mu Chuan. Just as the arrow was about to be fired, Mu Ze arrived, shouting at Xiao Ying for daring to kill a prince.
Xiao Ying retorted that Mu Chuan was the one disrespecting them. Mu Ze accused Xiao Ying of using Lu Yun as a "scapegoat." Mu Ze then urged Mu Chuan to leave, promising to provide an explanation for the "deaths in the suburb." Mu Chuan, however, refused, stating he had heard "too many explanations." He confronted Mu Ze, asking if his grand "plans are weightier than great mountains" while "the lives of these people lighter than feathers."
Mu Ze tried to justify his actions with the philosophy that "achievers don't bother about trifles," citing historical "white bones." Mu Chuan passionately denounced Mu Ze's "rhetoric of reasons to sugarcoat your selfish desires," asserting that "no one should sacrifice for others' thoughts." He then symbolically cut his sleeve with his sword, a gesture of "severed all ties," declaring that while he would "bear them in mind forever," from that day forward, he would "be loyal to myself."
Turning to Xiao Ying, Mu Chuan demanded the culprits be handed over, threatening to fight to the death if he refused. Seeing Mu Chuan's resolve and fearing for his safety, Mu Ze reluctantly ordered Xiao Ying to comply. Mu Chuan's attendant identified the culprits, and Mu Chuan led them away, taking Lu Yun with them. After the confrontation, Mu Ze sternly warned Xiao Ying, questioning his "heavy-handed approaches" and his attempt to use Lu Yun to kill Mu Chuan.
He threatened Xiao Ying with "ten thousand ways to make your life a living hell" if he ever "dare to get Ninth Brother involved again." Meanwhile, Mu Chuan fulfilled his promise to Lu Anran by ensuring Lu Yun's safe return to the Lu Mansion.
Lu Yun knelt before Lu Anran, tearfully apologizing for his past disobedience regarding joining the army and for misunderstanding her due to the machinations of "Second Sister" (Xiao Jingque), whose actions against Lu Anran had been revealed to him in a letter from his father. Lu Anran comforted him, explaining that she remained in Hanjing to ensure their safety and pursue her own vital duties.
To ensure his safety, Lu Anran instructed Shanyue to escort Lu Yun back to Su City that very night "in case of future worries." Lu Yun expressed his concern for Lu Anran's well-being. That night, Mu Chuan went to a quiet rice field, holding a collection of wooden toys that Mu Ze had carved for him during their childhood. He reflected on the wooden bird, a cherished gift Mu Ze had painstakingly made, even though his craftsmanship was poor.
He recalled their once-unbreakable bond and shared ideals, now shattered by Mu Ze's increasingly "sick-minded" path. Across the city, Mu Ze, distraught by the painful rift with Mu Chuan, sought solace from Lu Anran, holding and carving a wooden bird as he spoke. He recounted his childhood, when, after his mother's death, Mu Chuan, then known as Ninth Brother, had made him little gadgets to cheer him up.
He vividly remembered a time when they were both starving, and Mu Chuan had selflessly given him his entire piece of cake, claiming he had another, only to nearly die of starvation himself. It was then that Mu Ze vowed to "want nothing from him" and "won't allow anyone to hurt him." Lu Anran listened, her "strange smile" unsettling Mu Ze.
She pragmatically advised him not to be burdened by such emotions, reminding him that he was "the one who makes history," and such "power and status can't be exchanged with virtue and morality." Mu Ze attempted to reattach the broken wing of the wooden bird, lamenting, "it's hard to restore a broken mirror," before finally casting the bird into the water, its broken form symbolizing their irrevocably fractured brotherhood.
Episode 26 Recap
During a morning court session, Prince Qi impeached Xiao Ying, accusing him of ordering garrison troops to assault tenant farmers. Xiao Ying's subordinates took the blame, and the Emperor merely reprimanded Xiao Ying for poor discipline and docked his salary. Xiao Jingque was surprised, remarking on Prince Qi's apparent disregard for his fraternal bond with Prince Qing, especially since he knew Xiao Ying was working for Prince Qing.
Xiao Ying, however, believed Prince Qing was too lenient, allowing Prince Qi to become unrestrained. He regretted missing the chance to eliminate Prince Qi, explaining to Xiao Jingque that his plan was to force Lu Yun to act, then claim Prince Qi caused trouble in the military camp and Lu Yun, enraged by Prince Qi injuring his sister, reacted impulsively. This would eliminate Prince Qi and remove Lu Anran.
Xiao Jingque, concerned for her brother's safety, cautioned against such risks, but Xiao Ying reassured her he would protect her. Xiao Jingque then informed Xiao Ying that Lu Anran had fallen out with her trusted maid, Dong Qing, who had left Prince Qing's residence after a significant argument, seeing it as a satisfying turn of events. Xiao Ying saw this as an opportunity to eliminate both Prince Qi and Lu Anran.
Xiao Ying sought out Dong Qing at the Qinghe Gang, where she was temporarily managing affairs while her elder brother, Shen Changqing, was bedridden. He questioned her about Shen Changqing's injury, implying Prince Qing’s involvement but denying they harmed Shen Changqing directly. Xiao Ying accused Lu Anran of betraying friends for self-preservation, portraying her as cunning and ruthless. He proposed that Dong Qing assist him in eliminating Lu Anran, promising that the Qinghe Gang’s recent activities would be overlooked.
Dong Qing rebuffed him, criticizing a general for resorting to such underhanded tactics and declaring she would seek justice for her brother her own way, without his help. Xiao Ying, annoyed by her refusal, warned her against refusing his offer, but Dong Qing dismissed him. Meanwhile, following Prince Qi’s impeachment of Xiao Ying, Xiao Ying’s followers were arrested and Prince Yi was punished.
However, Prince Qi, dissatisfied with this outcome, sought an audience with the Emperor to argue for true justice. The Emperor, exasperated, questioned where true justice lay. Prince Qi stated it was "written in the law and dwells within people's hearts." The Emperor countered, asserting that justice ultimately lay in his hands and that true law was decreed by the Son of Heaven, not by heaven itself.
He implied that if Prince Qi truly sought justice, he should consider ascending the throne. Prince Qing's subordinates discovered Xiao Ying had visited the Qinghe Gang. Though they couldn't ascertain the exact reason, Prince Qing concluded that Xiao Ying was too self-serving and potentially disloyal, warranting caution. Meanwhile, Lu Anran's intelligence indicated that Xiao Ying was furious after his visit to Dong Qing.
She instructed her people to remind Dong Qing to eventually yield to Xiao Ying's pressure to ensure the Qinghe Gang's safety. She explained her intricate plan to her aide, emphasizing that to eliminate Xiao Ying, Prince Qing needed to perceive him as out of control, as Prince Qing would not allow anyone else to use an asset like Xiao Ying if he could not control it himself.
She acknowledged that using Prince Qi in this scheme would make them even for his earlier sword wound. Xiao Ying, having confirmed Lu Anran and Prince Qi's private relationship from Dong Qing's evasive demeanor, decided to exploit her vulnerability. He instructed his troops to surround the Qinghe Gang, accusing them of robbery, arson, murder, and plunder under the guise of "robbing the rich to aid the poor." This move forced Dong Qing to meet him.
She reluctantly agreed to cooperate, providing information that Lu Anran and Prince Qi communicated through daily vegetable deliveries to Lu Anran's courtyard. Xiao Jingque's attendant, upon checking the vegetables, indeed found a letter arranging a meeting between Lu Anran and Prince Qi. Believing she had caught them, Xiao Jingque excitedly informed Prince Qing.
Simultaneously, Dong Qing informed Prince Qi about the Qinghe Gang's predicament and that Xiao Ying had invited him to meet at a private residence in the western suburbs. Prince Qi, concerned, rushed there. Lu Anran, with Shanyue, arrived at the private residence first. She instructed Shanyue to feign injury and then deliberately stabbed herself with a hairpin, scattering knockout incense to create the illusion of an attack.
As Xiao Jingque and Prince Qing arrived, Lu Anran cried for help, making it appear she was framed. Prince Qi arrived shortly after, witnessing Xiao Jingque’s accusations of improper relations between him and Lu Anran. He clarified that Xiao Ying had invited him. Xiao Ying then appeared with Dong Qing, intending for her to testify. However, Prince Qing, already wary of Xiao Ying's self-serving nature, pressed Dong Qing for the truth.
Under pressure, Dong Qing revealed that Xiao Ying had coerced her by threatening the Qinghe Gang, and that his entire setup was a scheme to frame Lu Anran and Prince Qi. Enraged, Xiao Ying attempted to kill Lu Anran, but Prince Qing swiftly intervened, killing Xiao Ying with Xiao Jingque's hairpin. Later, Prince Qi privately confronted Dong Qing at the Qinghe Gang.
He surmised that she had collaborated with Lu Anran in a staged performance, manipulating him to help eliminate Xiao Ying. Dong Qing, however, feigned ignorance, stating she was merely a maid and could not have orchestrated such a complex plan. Prince Qi, frustrated by her refusal to admit the truth and his growing understanding of Lu Anran's intricate planning, felt a deep sense of disillusionment, realizing he too had been used in her schemes.
Witnessing her brother Xiao Ying’s murder by Prince Qing, Xiao Jingque became distraught, verging on madness. Prince Qing then approached her, chillingly inviting her to join him and Xiao Ying for chrysanthemum viewing during the Double Ninth Festival the next day, implicitly threatening her into silence. The following day, news spread that Xiao Ying had died from a fall during the Double Ninth Festival climb, a cover-up orchestrated by Prince Qing to explain his sudden demise.
With Xiao Ying's sudden death, the capital garrison became leaderless. Prince Qing and Prince Yi both vied for the position. The Emperor, recognizing Mu Chuan's lack of personal ambition and the dangers of entrusting such power to self-serving individuals, favored him. He offered Mu Chuan the command, emphasizing that the military was a vital national tool and that those with excessive personal agendas would bring endless trouble.
However, Mu Chuan, who cherished freedom and sought to protect his water conservancy projects and his role as granary keeper, expressed his reluctance to become entangled in court struggles. The Emperor acknowledged Mu Chuan's magnanimous nature and his yearning for a life beyond the palace walls but reminded him that one day he would have something he wished to protect, forcing him to make a choice.
The Emperor gave Mu Chuan time to consider but warned him not to take too long. Shen Changqing, having regained consciousness, was relieved to learn that Dong Qing had not misunderstood Lu Anran. He was distraught to hear that Prince Qi had stabbed Lu Anran, wishing to intervene and clarify the situation.
Although Lu Anran had previously instructed Dong Qing not to involve Prince Qi in court conflicts, both Shen Changqing and Dong Qing understood the deep affection between Lu Anran and Prince Qi and did not want a misunderstanding to fester. Lu Anran, tending to her own wounds, showed no emotional reaction towards Prince Qing, attributing all recent misfortunes to her own choices. Prince Qing sensed her complete disillusionment and was perturbed by her newfound composure after enduring such hardship.
Lu Anran finally confronted him, lamenting that she had sacrificed her most cherished possessions and willingly confined herself to his mansion, only to receive endless harm in return. She accused him of personally destroying her innocence and trust, asserting that they could never return to their past. To Lu Anran's surprise, Prince Qing was pleased by her outburst, promising to prove that she was the true mistress of Prince Qing's household. He instructed her to freshen up and join him at the mansion, declaring he would make everyone aware of her status.
Episode 27 Recap
Mu Ze brought Lu Anran to pay respects to Xiao Ying. Xiao Jingque, enraged, tried to stab and kill Lu Anran to avenge her brother. Mu Ze intervened, pulling Lu Anran away and sternly warning Xiao Jingque. He stated that if she continued to provoke his woman, he would not even leave her with a complete corpse. He reminded her that he had warned her and her brother to behave, but they never listened.
Now, she dared to kill his woman and would soon climb over his head. Mu Ze declared that she brought this upon herself and should blame no one else. He strictly warned Xiao Jingque not to provoke Lu Anran from now on and to stay quietly in Prince Qing's residence, or it would mean certain death. Mu Ze then told Lu Anran that he brought her there to show Xiao Jingque the consequences of opposing her.
However, Lu Anran was not pleased, feeling a sense of sorrow for the fallen. Mu Ze assured her he understood and would not treat her the same way. Later that night, Xiao Jingque met with Commander Liang and other loyal soldiers of the Xiao Army. She requested their help to kill someone. Commander Liang affirmed their unwavering loyalty, stating they would fulfill her wish even at the cost of their lives. These soldiers then ambushed Mu Chuan in a forest.
Mu Chuan fought fiercely against them, but despite his martial prowess, he sustained severe injuries. Meanwhile, Xiao Jingque arrived at Lu Anran's courtyard with wine. Dong Qing tried to turn her away, reminding her that Mu Ze had forbidden her from entering. But Xiao Jingque, proclaiming herself the Princess Consort of Qing, insisted on a drink with Lu Anran. Lu Anran permitted her entry.
Xiao Jingque openly taunted Lu Anran, noting that while she feared provoking Lu Anran within the mansion due to Mu Ze's protection, as a woman, she could see Lu Anran's true affection for Mu Chuan in her eyes, despite Lu Anran's attempts to hide it. Xiao Jingque then revealed her purpose, directly asking if Lu Anran was in love with Prince Qi.
She stated that since her brother died because of Lu Anran, she would not allow Lu Anran's beloved to live peacefully. She wanted Lu Anran to experience the same pain of loss she felt. Xiao Jingque gloated that even though Prince Qi was skilled and could fight ten men, he would be no match for thirty. Lu Anran, realizing Xiao Jingque had orchestrated Mu Chuan's assassination, became furious and tried to attack her.
Xiao Jingque remained unfazed, declaring that Mu Chuan's death bells would toll today. She urged Lu Anran to hurry and see him one last time, rather than wasting time with her, to lessen any regrets. As Lu Anran rushed off, Xiao Jingque poured wine on the ground, mourning her brother. Lu Anran rushed to Shen Changqing's residence. Dong Qing, present there, tried to reassure Lu Anran that the doctor was treating him and he would be fine.
However, upon seeing Shen Changqing distraught, Lu Anran was led to Mu Chuan's "body." Dong Qing wept, telling Shen Changqing how much Lu Anran relied on her family in Su City and on Mu Chuan. Without Mu Chuan, she feared for Lu Anran's future. Lu Anran knelt beside Mu Chuan's still form, heartbroken. She recalled Mu Chuan's words about regretting their last meeting.
She confessed that their last encounter, when she set a trap and used him, was now a source of unbearable regret. She acknowledged her self-righteousness, feeling she had lost everything in the end. Lu Anran revealed that the woman in the shadow play she told him about was actually herself. She questioned who would believe that in her nightmare, the Lu family was gone, and he was dead.
She explained that she married Mu Ze solely to protect Mu Chuan and the Lu family. Lu Anran further lamented how she had pushed Mu Chuan away and hurt him, believing she was protecting him, only to realize she had trampled on his genuine feelings. She wished she had told him sooner, especially when he came looking for her in Su City, that she loved him.
She poured out her heart, declaring that in this terrible world, only Mu Chuan brought her joy in this "sinister hell." Feeling she had lost everything, Lu Anran reached for her hairpin, intending to take her own life. At that moment, Mu Chuan spoke her name, startling her. He apologized, stating he just wanted to know the answer. It was all an elaborate ruse concocted by Mu Chuan and Shen Changqing, a feigned death to ascertain Lu Anran's true feelings.
Overjoyed that he was alive, Lu Anran embraced him, then instructed Shen Changqing to take good care of Mu Chuan before quickly departing back to Prince Qing's residence. After Lu Anran left, Dong Qing, who had been listening from outside, angrily confronted Shen Changqing, asking how they could play such a trick on her mistress. Shen Changqing explained that he had rushed to save Mu Chuan after receiving word, ensuring Mu Chuan's survival despite his serious injuries.
He also clarified to Mu Chuan that Lu Anran had given him a list of farmers Mu Ze planned to kill, and her "stabbing" of Shen Changqing was actually a pre-planned act to save him from Mu Ze's trap. Realizing Mu Chuan had misunderstood Lu Anran, Shen Changqing urged him to be understanding. Mu Chuan then revealed he faked his death to uncover the full truth from Lu Anran.
Dong Qing scolded Mu Chuan for not trusting Lu Anran and for hurting her. Mu Chuan admitted his actions were thoughtless but confessed that he desperately needed to know the truth. He was astonished by Lu Anran's confession, acknowledging that the answer was "unbelievable," yet he believed every single word she said without a doubt. He expressed concern that now that Lu Anran knew he was alive, she might do something foolish.
That night, Mu Ze noticed Lu Anran's distress and went to Xiao Jingque's residence, questioning her attendant about what Xiao Jingque had done to Lu Anran. The attendant claimed ignorance, suggesting Xiao Jingque was merely grieving her brother. Mu Ze, however, suspected Xiao Jingque was the cause of Lu Anran's tears. He declared that Xiao Ying's death was his own fault for scheming against him.
He reminded Xiao Jingque that allowing her to remain as Princess Consort was his "final compensation" to her, and she should not overstep her bounds. Xiao Jingque, overhearing this cold exchange, was deeply hurt. Her attendant then informed her that her assassination plan had failed; Prince Qi was alive, and all of General Xiao's soldiers had perished. Xiao Jingque was devastated. Now fully understanding Lu Anran's heart, Mu Chuan sent her a letter she had once written to him.
On the back, in small script, he wrote a message to her, expressing his trust and regret, and reassuring her that he understood her intentions. He acknowledged that she was always thinking of others but rarely of herself. He envisioned a happy ending for her, where she would be united with the one she wanted to spend her life with, free from worldly concerns. Mu Chuan affirmed that he would not abandon her and that she should wait for him.
Later, speaking with Shen Changqing and Dong Qing, Mu Chuan admitted that his past hesitations had led to too many regrets. Now, he was resolute in his desire to rescue Lu Anran from Prince Qing's residence. Dong Qing expressed concerns about Lu Anran's safety in the palace, agreeing that she was in constant danger, walking "on thin ice." Mu Chuan then sought an audience with the Emperor, requesting Lu Anran's assistance for the upcoming dam closure.
He explained that her expertise in rivers was invaluable and necessary to prevent any accidents, especially with the sluice gates opening and the water level rising rapidly. The Emperor's aide questioned why His Majesty didn't press Mu Chuan on accepting the previous decree about military power. The Emperor responded that Mu Chuan would seek him out when the time was right, as there was no need to rush.
Armed with the imperial decree, Mu Chuan arrived at Prince Qing's residence, intending to use it as justification to take Lu Anran. Mu Ze confronted Mu Chuan, asking why he was there. Mu Chuan stated he was there to deliver the decree and requested Lu Anran to be present. Mu Ze, feeling Mu Chuan was there to "snatch" her, questioned if Lu Anran would ever return once she left. Mu Chuan did not answer, simply insisting on delivering the decree.
Lu Anran initially resisted, feeling it was improper as a married woman, and suggested Shanyue and the fleet could assist instead. Mu Chuan sternly reminded her that the dam project was vital to Great Han's water conservancy, and any mistake would be disastrous. He asked if she dared to defy an imperial decree. Realizing she had no choice, Lu Anran reluctantly accepted the decree.
As Mu Chuan left, Mu Ze, alarmed by the possibility of losing Lu Anran, confronted her, asking what she and Mu Chuan were scheming. Lu Anran professed ignorance, claiming she had just learned of the matter. Mu Ze embraced her tightly, begging her not to leave him, and made her promise to wait for him to bring her back to the residence after the dam closure. He then instructed Nanxing to have men follow Lu Anran.
On the day of the dam closure, Dong Qing disguised herself as Lu Anran, successfully deceiving Nanxing and Mu Ze's attendants, who followed her instead. Meanwhile, Mu Chuan, with Shanyue's support, intended to fake Lu Anran's death by having her "swept away" by the rapidly rising river water during the sluice gate release. He planned to send her out of Hanjing City.
Lu Anran was concerned about abandoning her family in Su City and leaving Mu Chuan to face Mu Ze alone. Mu Chuan reassured her that he had considered everything and asked her to trust him. He reminded her of the happy ending she had once envisioned in her shadow play story. Lu Anran dismissed it as merely a beautiful dream, but Mu Chuan vowed to make that dream come true.
Episode 28 Recap
Lu Anran adamantly refused Mu Chuan's suggestion that she leave. She confessed that after his previous faked death, she realized she could not endure the pain of losing him again, and therefore, she would not abandon him to save herself. Meanwhile, at the Prince Qing's residence, Mu Ze was in despair, believing Lu Anran had left for good. However, when she appeared, he embraced her with overwhelming relief, grateful for her return.
Elsewhere, Xiao Jingque's Nanny tried to encourage her, reminding her that the Emperor was aware of Lu Anran and Prince Qi's past affections. The Nanny suggested that if the Emperor were to learn how Lu Anran was causing discord between the two royal brothers, leading to turmoil in the residence and ultimately General Xiao's tragic death, he would surely not spare Lu Anran.
This idea invigorated Xiao Jingque, who declared her resolve to make Lu Anran and Mu Chuan pay for her brother's life. Donning her Princess Consort robes, Xiao Jingque stormed into the imperial study, bypassing guards, to plead her case before the Emperor. She tearfully accused Lu Anran of maintaining her old affections with Prince Qi even after marrying into the Prince Qing's residence.
Xiao Jingque further claimed that Lu Anran maliciously instigated conflict between her brother, Xiao Ying, and Prince Qing, ultimately leading to Xiao Ying's death at Prince Qing's hand. The Emperor, enraged by this revelation, condemned Prince Qing and Lu Anran's actions, promising justice for the Xiao family. News of the Emperor's summons for Mu Ze and Lu Anran quickly reached Mu Chuan, who immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
He knew that if the Emperor believed Lu Anran was involved in Xiao Ying's death, she would not be spared. In the imperial court, the Emperor sternly confronted Mu Ze and accused Lu Anran of bewitching a prince, ordering her immediate execution. To save Lu Anran, Mu Ze desperately knelt, confessing that he alone was responsible for Xiao Ying's death, citing Xiao Ying's repeated attempts to frame Lu Anran and involve Mu Chuan as the reason for his impulsive act.
The Emperor then presented Mu Ze with a choice: remain content as Prince Qing, enjoying a lifetime of prosperity, or pursue the coveted Crown Prince position by drinking a cup of wine. Mu Ze, ever ambitious for the throne, reached for the wine. However, the Emperor stopped him, revealing that the golden cup contained a lethal poison. Mu Ze understood the implication and chose to abandon his pursuit of the throne to retain his title as Prince Qing.
But the Emperor, in a cruel twist, commanded Mu Ze to give the poisoned wine to Lu Anran, threatening to strip him of his title if he refused. Torn between his ambition and Lu Anran's life, Mu Ze reluctantly presented the wine to her. Lu Anran, with a serene expression, understood that regardless of Mu Ze's choice, his dream of becoming Crown Prince was over.
She calmly accepted the cup, ready to drink, believing this was the best outcome and that she had no regrets. In a critical moment, Mu Ze hesitated and blocked the cup. Just then, Mu Chuan burst into the imperial hall, knocking the poisoned wine to the ground. He then presented a memorial to the Emperor. When questioned, Mu Chuan admitted he hadn't fully reconciled his internal struggle between being powerless and embracing authority.
He spoke of his past naive belief in a third path and how seeing the common people's suffering and corruption made him realize that power was necessary to protect those he cared about. He declared his intention to become the "master" of fate, ensuring his loved ones would not be at the mercy of others.
Mu Chuan then eloquently pleaded that the sacred hall, meant for justice, should not be stained by an unjust execution, arguing that no one should die there without a proper conviction. The Emperor, swayed by his words, granted his request, sparing Lu Anran's life. Following this, an imperial edict was proclaimed, appointing Mu Chuan as General Huaihua, entrusting him with command over thirty thousand capital troops.
Back at the Prince Qing's residence, Mu Ze was consumed by rage and humiliation, having lost his lifelong ambition in an instant. He misinterpreted Lu Anran's calm demeanor as mockery, feeling that the throne, once within his grasp, was now easily obtained by others. He scornfully rejected the Emperor's offer of a life of comfortable prosperity, vowing to remember this day's shame and make those who insulted him pay with blood.
He confronted Xiao Jingque, who defiantly declared her continued intent to avenge her brother. Enraged, Mu Ze callously struck down her loyal Nanny in front of her. Xiao Jingque, witnessing his cruelty, finally saw his true nature. She realized that even if he became Emperor, her family would not be safe, given his ruthless indifference. She bitterly regretted marrying him, lamenting that her brother, who detested factionalism, died because of her choice.
As she cursed Mu Ze, declaring that he would never be truly loved, he raised his sword to kill her. However, Lu Anran intervened, revealing that Xiao Jingque was pregnant. After a physician confirmed the pregnancy, Mu Ze, warning Xiao Jingque to protect his child, left her chambers. Xiao Jingque, perplexed by Lu Anran's intervention, asked why she had saved her. Lu Anran explained that Xiao Jingque reminded her of an old acquaintance whose deep affections ended in ruin.
She simply could not bear to see Xiao Jingque suffer a similar fate. Hearing this, Xiao Jingque finally understood: Lu Anran had remained by Mu Ze's side precisely to scheme against him. She then urged Lu Anran to continue her efforts and not disappoint her. The relentless march of fate had irrevocably pushed Mu Chuan onto a collision course with Mu Ze, throwing Hanjing City into turmoil. In this vortex of gains and losses, no one truly found joy.
Mu Chuan secretly arranged to meet Lu Anran. To evade watchful eyes, Lu Anran used a fabric shop as a cover, where they found solace in each other's embrace. Mu Chuan, unwilling to waste any more time or avoid reality, declared his intention to actively contend for power in the imperial court. He acknowledged the risks but hoped his proactive approach would expedite the conclusion of their struggles, asking Lu Anran to trust him.
As New Year's Eve approached, Mu Chuan boldly volunteered in court to light the main lantern at the annual Lantern Lighting Ceremony, offering prayers for the Emperor and the Great Han dynasty. Despite Prince Yi's opposition, Prince Qing surprisingly supported Mu Chuan's bid. Ultimately, the Emperor decreed that Mu Chuan would lead the ceremony.
This decision deeply alarmed Prince Yi's advisors, who cautioned him that Mu Chuan, once quiet and unassuming, was now the Emperor's favored candidate and his most formidable rival. They suggested a sinister plan: to use the very preparations for the Lantern Lighting Ceremony as an opportunity to eliminate Mu Chuan.
Episode 29 Recap
Prince Qing, Mu Ze, learned from his subordinate that Prince Yi was making extensive preparations for the Lantern Lighting Ceremony, with a particularly suspicious amount of phosphorus powder being moved into Prince Yi's residence. Mu Ze deduced that Prince Yi intended to use the ceremony to assassinate the Ninth Prince, Mu Chuan, and decided to exploit this scheme for his own ends.
Meanwhile, with Xiao Jingque's position as Princess Consort existing in name only, Mu Ze entrusted the household's account books to Lu Anran. On New Year's Eve, despite having to attend the Emperor, Mu Ze arranged for the residence to be adorned with rabbit lanterns, knowing her fondness for them. He expressed his desire for Lu Anran to consider the residence her home and him her family, asking her never to betray him and promising that their good days were imminent.
He confessed to feeling despised by the Emperor and abandoned by Mu Chuan, making his dependence on her loyalty clear. Lu Anran diligently reviewed the account books, noting an unusually large purchase of ten "dan" of honeydew melons from Myanmar by Prince Qing's residence half a month prior. Given Mu Ze's usual frugality, this seemed highly suspicious.
Her maid, Shanyue, corroborated this, reporting that dock workers had also mentioned Prince Yi buying a substantial quantity of the same type of melon for the Lantern Lighting Ceremony. Alarmed, Lu Anran investigated further, checking the fireworks stored in the residence. She discovered that all the gunpowder had been removed from the fireworks.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, she concluded Mu Ze was planning a rebellion and rushed to Xiao Jingque, demanding her palace entry permit to warn the Emperor. At the Lantern Lighting Ceremony, as planned by Prince Yi, a subordinate confirmed that poison had been secreted into the lantern Mu Chuan was to light. The poison was designed to be inhaled, ensuring Mu Chuan's death within the hour.
Prince Yi, watching Mu Chuan, anticipated the candles burning down, igniting the phosphorus powder, and incinerating the entire lantern array, thus destroying all evidence of the poisoning. Elsewhere, Mu Ze's preparations were also complete. As the ceremony commenced, ministers lit their individual lanterns, followed by Mu Chuan lighting the main lantern, the "lantern's eye." Suddenly, the lanterns' ropes snapped, causing them to fall and ignite a fierce fire, sending officials and palace staff fleeing in panic.
The Emperor, however, refused to retreat, determined to see what was truly transpiring. Mu Chuan rushed towards the Emperor to protect him but was intercepted by Mu Ze. Mu Ze revealed that Prince Yi had indeed intended to poison Mu Chuan by placing poison and phosphorus powder in his lantern. However, Mu Ze had secretly swapped the poison.
He then shockingly confessed his true intention: to use Prince Yi's plot to trigger a larger explosion, killing both the Emperor and Prince Yi, along with many others, ensuring no witnesses remained to his ultimate objective. Mu Chuan, horrified, asked why Mu Ze saved him if he intended such a heinous act. Mu Ze replied that he had promised never to let anyone harm Mu Chuan, including himself.
With the palace in chaos and the Emperor and Prince Yi presumed dead, Mu Ze, amidst his armed guards surrounding the ministers, announced the Emperor's passing due to an "unexpected incident" and declared the necessity of supporting a new sovereign to maintain the nation's foundation. Minister Wu, swayed by fear and opportunism, proclaimed Mu Ze's noble qualities and urged him to accept the throne for the stability of the realm.
Just as ministers began to pledge their allegiance, another contingent of imperial guards stormed in. The Emperor, far from dead, appeared, denouncing Mu Ze as an audacious rebel and regretting sparing his life earlier. Mu Ze, unrepentant, accused the Emperor of constant humiliation, forcing him to poison his beloved, and treating him like a beggar. He insisted that his actions were forced upon him by the Emperor's favoritism towards Mu Chuan and his disdain for Mu Ze's own efforts.
As the confrontation escalated, Lu Anran arrived, distraught. Mu Ze seized her, using her as a hostage. The Emperor, infuriated, ordered Mu Ze's immediate execution. Mu Chuan, however, knelt and pleaded with his father, affirming his unwavering desire to protect Lu Anran at all costs. Moved by Mu Chuan's plea, the Emperor relented, ordering his guards to allow Mu Ze and Lu Anran to leave.
Later, it was revealed that the Emperor's survival was due to an earlier, seemingly innocuous dinner invitation to Mu Chuan. When Mu Chuan tasted the sweet melon prepared by the imperial kitchen, he detected a faint gunpowder residue. This discovery initiated an investigation, uncovering both Prince Yi's plot to poison Mu Chuan and Mu Ze's more ambitious plan to use the chaos to assassinate the Emperor. Mu Ze returned to his residence, intending to take Xiao Jingque with him.
Lu Anran confronted him, accusing him of bringing ruin upon himself. Xiao Jingque defiantly refused to flee and live as a branded rebel. She declared that the Xiao family, known for its loyalty, would never disgrace its ancestors. She scorned Mu Ze's sudden concern for her and their unborn child, accusing him of trampling her affection and only feigning kindness when it suited him.
With a final declaration that witnessing his failure brought her peace, Xiao Jingque tragically took her own life with a sword. Mu Ze escaped with a bound Lu Anran. He revealed that he had known about her secret meeting with Mu Chuan at the cloth shop, having tortured the shopkeeper for information. He confessed that the account books he gave her were a test, designed to see if she would risk everything to save Mu Chuan in a crisis.
He expressed deep anguish that she had proven his suspicions correct. He questioned why she chose to marry him if she loved Mu Chuan, asserting that she could have easily eloped with Mu Chuan. Lu Anran retorted that her cherished family had been destroyed by him, accusing him of constant scheming against the Lu family and mocking his expectation of sincerity from her.
She proclaimed him unfit for the throne, a pathetic man who cast aside Xiao Jingque's genuine love like trash while desperately seeking affection from those who despised him. Enraged by her words, Mu Ze angrily threatened her, declaring that while he might never possess her heart, her body would be his. Later, Mu Chuan presented the Emperor with items he found in Mu Ze's secret chamber at Prince Qing's residence.
Among them were a private mourning altar dedicated to Mu Ze's birth mother, carefully concealed, as well as evidence of corruption against various officials that Mu Ze had meticulously collected, initially for official submission but later possibly for blackmail. Most significantly, Mu Chuan displayed Mu Ze's childhood calligraphy practice copybook, bearing the Emperor's own handwritten comments, and all the commendation documents the Emperor had issued to Mu Ze over the years.
Mu Chuan pointed out that these items revealed what Mu Ze truly cherished in his heart: the recognition and love of his imperial father. Realizing the depth of Mu Ze's unspoken longing and his own past coldness, the Emperor was deeply moved. He ordered Mu Chuan to find Mu Ze and bring him back, promising to grant him an opportunity to speak.
Episode 30 (Ending) Recap
Having failed to win Lu Anran's heart, Mu Ze decided to try and possess her body. However, Lu Anran remained unyielding, declaring that on their wedding night, she had consumed an extreme cold substance, ensuring she could never bear children. She explicitly stated she did not want to carry his child again. Mu Ze, enraged, questioned her intense hatred, lamenting that he had genuinely meant his promises to grow old with her and make her the happiest woman.
Lu Anran retorted that he was still making excuses and his current predicament was his own doing. In a fit of anger, Mu Ze attempted to strangle her but ultimately could not bring himself to do it. Meanwhile, Mu Chuan’s men were actively searching for Mu Ze. A subordinate reported that Prince Qing’s (Mu Ze's) movements with his troops would be easily detected, suggesting that hiding should be their priority in the treacherous Leishan region.
Soon after, Shanyue arrived, presenting a wooden rabbit lantern to Mu Chuan. She relayed Lu Anran's message: in times of crisis, everything in the mansion could be abandoned, but this lantern must be kept. Lu Anran also instructed that if Mu Chuan found himself forced to make a choice while everything else went smoothly, he must never compromise. She would rather die with honor than submit to disgrace, determined to prevent history from repeating itself.
Shanyue entrusted the lantern to Mu Chuan for safekeeping before departing to join Zhufeng and others in the search for Lu Anran. Mu Ze reflected on his life, acknowledging Lu Anran's words that he was born a joke. He had exhausted all means to gain recognition and avoid being scorned, yet he still ended up a laughingstock.
With his luck run out, he had no power to change his fate of having nothing, but he could choose how his life would conclude. Looking at the sleeping Lu Anran, he resolved to end everything. A subordinate warned him that others were approaching and they risked being discovered if they didn't leave. Mu Ze scoffed at the idea of running, unwilling to endure a life of humiliation and disgrace as a treacherous rebel.
He expressed that he was not afraid to die, only afraid of dying meaninglessly. Having been entangled in the chaotic court and endless schemes for too long, Mu Ze, who had fought his entire life, declared that he had forgotten the thrill of galloping freely and fighting bloodied battles. He would not retreat in disgrace; he would fight to the very end.
He told his soldiers they were free to leave and not follow him to certain death, as they all had families. However, Nanxing stepped forward, vowing to follow him wherever he went, choosing to die standing rather than live on his knees. Other soldiers echoed his loyalty, stating their willingness to follow Prince Qing. Seeing their resolve, Mu Ze commanded them to point their swords toward the palace tonight, signaling their intention to attack.
Mu Chuan and his men detected horse hooves and spotted candlelight in a nearby house. They rushed in, where Mu Chuan woke Lu Anran. Upon hearing Mu Chuan's account of the hoofbeats heading towards the city, Lu Anran realized with dread that Mu Ze was mobilizing troops to attack the city. Outside, Mu Ze addressed his assembled troops, asking Nanxing if he was certain about their path, which would brand them as traitors condemned by history.
Nanxing reaffirmed his loyalty, stating that his only lord was Mu Ze and he would not hesitate to be crushed to dust. His words were met with fervent agreement from the other soldiers. Mu Ze, seeing their unwavering commitment, declared, "We fight until the last drop of blood is shed." Prince Qing and his forces stormed the Great Han Imperial Palace. The palace guards confronted them, condemning Mu Ze's ambition to usurp the throne and demanding his surrender.
Mu Ze defiantly stated that he had never intended to return alive since he dared to come. As the battle raged, Mu Ze's soldiers fell one by one, and Mu Ze himself was struck by an arrow. Just as another arrow was aimed at him, Mu Chuan arrived and shielded his brother with his own body, forcing the guards to cease fire. The Emperor then appeared, asking Mu Ze if he had anything to say.
Mu Ze, unrepentant, retorted that the Emperor was merely a ruler to him, never a father, and had only ever employed imperial tactics, never showing any warmth. Mu Chuan intervened, explaining that Mu Ze had not come to usurp the throne but to find closure for himself. Mu Ze rejected Mu Chuan's plea on his behalf. Despite this, the Emperor, after witnessing Mu Ze's profound pain, decided to let them go.
Mu Chuan accompanied a gravely injured Mu Ze to the dried well where their mother was last laid to rest. Mu Ze sorrowfully apologized to his mother for being an unfilial son who could not bring her out. He then implored Mu Chuan to bury him with their mother after his death. Mu Ze also expressed a longing to taste Mu Chuan's "Anxin rice," which he had never had the chance to.
Mu Chuan, choked with emotion, promised the rice was about to sprout and he would take Mu Ze to see it. But Mu Ze’s true intention was revealed as he begged Mu Chuan to do him a favor and grant him a quick death. Mu Chuan adamantly refused, repeating "No" several times. In a heartbreaking moment, Mu Ze grabbed Mu Chuan's hand and plunged a dagger into his own chest, ending his life.
Mu Chuan collapsed in anguish, weeping uncontrollably for his lost brother. In the imperial court, ministers demanded severe posthumous punishment for Prince Qing (Mu Ze), suggesting his corpse be dismembered and displayed as a warning for his treasonous act of patricide. They argued that sparing his body and household, including wives and servants, would dissatisfy the populace.
The Emperor listened, then subtly turned the tables by mentioning that those who were quick to kneel and pledge allegiance to a new ruler during the rebellion were among the very ministers present. He questioned how he should deal with them, stating that their actions were equivalent to treason. The terrified ministers immediately prostrated themselves, begging for mercy.
The Emperor then declared that despite Prince Qing’s grave errors, he was still his own flesh and blood, implying he would not pursue further cruelties or involve innocent family members. Lu Anran returned to Prince Qing’s mansion. A maid suggested sealing the gate to the mansion, symbolizing a closure with the past. Lu Anran wondered if everything that had happened could truly just end.
The maid tried to reassure her that Prince Qing was dead, and Mu Chuan was soon to be crowned Crown Prince and eventually Emperor, meaning Lu Anran and the Lu family would have no more worries. But Lu Anran questioned whether such a gilded cage was truly Mu Chuan's heart's desire.
She then chose to take one last look at the mansion, reflecting on her past lives and current reality, pondering whether it was "Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly or the butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou," a meditation on the nature of reality and illusion. She felt that with Mu Ze's death, the lingering shadows of past loves, family ties, and animosities had finally faded, allowing her to envision a new beginning.
Mu Chuan, standing before Mu Ze's grave, recalled their shared past. In a vivid flashback, Mu Ze enthusiastically showed a younger Mu Chuan a military sand table he secretly built in the courtyard. Young Mu Chuan, more interested in flowers, playfully complained it would ruin the plants. Later, Mu Chuan eagerly greeted Mu Ze upon his return from battle, only to learn he would leave again soon to secure the southern border and improve warships.
Mu Chuan wanted to show him his new rice strain, and Mu Ze promised to return to taste rice cakes made from it once it ripened. They made a solemn pact: Mu Ze would protect the stability of Great Han's lands, and Mu Chuan would be responsible for the people's livelihood. Back in the present, at the grave, Mu Chuan sorrowfully reiterated, "We agreed on this." He bid his brother a final farewell, promising to visit often.
Soon after, an imperial edict was proclaimed, formally appointing the Ninth Imperial Prince, Mu Chuan, as the Crown Prince, recognizing his profound dignity, wisdom, strategic vision, and compassionate nature. Mu Ze had left a letter of divorce for Lu Anran, stating that their hearts had grown apart and discord had arisen.
He expressed a desire for them to part with mutual understanding and wished her to find better fortune in love, concluding that having met her once made his life not lived in vain. In another part of his letter, Mu Ze revealed that before his departure that night, Lu Anran had spoken a story in her sleep.
He wasn't sure whether to believe it, but if that fragmented dream was the reason for her hatred, he wished to apologize for the actions of "that version of me in the dream." He also confessed to truly envying that dream-self who had received such deep love from her, acknowledging it as his own only unattainable desire. Later, Lu Anran and Mu Chuan sat amidst a bustling street.
Lu Anran announced her decision to return to Su City, explaining that Hanjing City felt like a personal nightmare, perpetually reminding her of the past and making it impossible to move on. She found herself constantly wondering if she could have made different choices. Mu Chuan acknowledged the immense suffering she had endured, which required time and effort to heal. Lu Anran complimented Mu Chuan's courage, despite his own pain.
Mu Chuan, embracing his destiny, stated that having been born into royalty and raised in privilege, he could not simply enjoy a carefree life while accepting the people's offerings. Lu Anran likened him to a gallant hero, finding his noble commitment admirable. Mu Chuan, with a hint of a smile, teased her for her flattery.
He then expressed his profound hope for Lu Anran's happiness, both in the present and in every future moment, wishing her to be unburdened by the past and unafraid of the future, so she could truly live well in the present. Lu Anran promised she would try. Mu Chuan assured her he would wait for her in Hanjing City when she succeeded.
They exchanged a bittersweet goodbye, turning away from each other, carrying a silent hope for a reunion in the future. In a final dream, Lu Anran saw a bright, warm day, lush scenery, and both she and Mu Chuan smiling sweetly, living freely, not as emperor and subject.
