Lost Track of Time Episode 8 Recap
> Lost Track of Time 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.
