Lost Track of Time Episode 30 (Ending) Recap
> Lost Track of Time 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.
