Lost Track of Time Episode 14 Recap
> Lost Track of Time 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.
