Lost Track of Time Episode 25 Recap
> Lost Track of Time 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.
