Lost Track of Time Episode 28 Recap
> Lost Track of Time 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.
