Luoyang Episode 21 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
Gao Bingzhu watched in anguish as Yao Niang used a hand-halberd to pierce herself, falling to her death. In her final moments, Yao Niang tearfully apologized, expressing hope that he would remember her for the rest of his life. Gao Bingzhu was utterly heartbroken and in immense pain. Wu Youjue personally released Baili Hongyi from prison. Baili Hongyi revealed the plan to lure out the culprits, which he had meticulously devised with Wu Siyue, but it had ultimately failed.
Wu Youjue chided him, asserting that arresting criminals was the Interior Guard Services’ duty and Wu Siyue should not have risked his life as bait. Baili Hongyi maintained that he willingly participated, as he was consumed with finding the real killer and had already disregarded his own life.
Wu Youjue remarked on Baili Hongyi’s carefree attitude, acknowledging that while Wu Siyue had sent him back to the Interior Guard Services in time to prevent major trouble, the Interior Guard Services could not protect him indefinitely. Outside the Interior Guard Services headquarters, Liu Ran had been waiting anxiously for a long time. In front of everyone, she immediately rushed to Baili Hongyi, embracing him and showing deep concern.
As they rode home, Liu Ran repeatedly apologized for her reckless intrusion into Liubai Building, which had disrupted his and Wu Siyue's plan. Baili Hongyi explained that he had spoken harshly to her out of fear for her safety, advising her to keep her distance from him to avoid becoming a target for the Chunqiu Dao's assassins. Liu Ran, however, was undeterred.
She declared she was not afraid, reminding him how he had risked his life to save her at Mount Lian and Liubai Building. She vowed to protect him at all costs if anyone dared to harm him. Baili Hongyi then asked her to return home first, as he had to investigate a lead, which touched Liu Ran and made her feel delighted.
Afterward, Gao Bingzhu came to Yao Niang’s room, where memories of their shared life and her recent death overwhelmed him, filling him with mixed emotions. Wu Siyue, who had witnessed Yao Niang’s suicide, did not know how to comfort him. Gao Bingzhu merely stated that Yao Niang was the heinous killer The 16th Night, and then departed. Meanwhile, Shen Fei, seeing Liu Ran return to the mansion alone, eagerly questioned her about Baili Hongyi's whereabouts.
Liu Ran admitted she didn't know, only recalling Baili Hongyi telling her to “be obedient” before he left. Following a clue from Li Ji, Baili Hongyi arrived at Guanglin Inn, requesting to examine the body of a foreign merchant named Kang Zhanbi. The innkeeper claimed Henan Prefecture officials had already taken the body.
Baili Hongyi, however, knew that Kang Zhanbi was from the Ke Tribe, not under Henan Prefecture's jurisdiction, and that such a body should be sent to the funeral home in the south of Luoyang after a three-day waiting period. He deduced the body must still be at the inn and, ignoring the innkeeper’s protests, proceeded to search for it, prompting the innkeeper to send for help.
Gao Bingzhu returned to the mortuary, a place he found comfort in because it lacked the "vitality" of the living world, which he felt reminded him of his own "barely surviving" existence. He saw Wu Siyue there, who had witnessed Yao Niang’s suicide. Gao Bingzhu, drinking heavily, confessed to Wu Siyue that while his revenge was complete, he felt no relief or purpose, feeling like he was a "lonely star."
Wu Siyue empathized, sharing her own painful past: her mother died during her birth, and her father passed away when she was two. To raise her, her brother, Wu Youjue, entered the palace to become a food-testing officer for the Saint, a dangerous role involving tasting for poison.
Wu Siyue explained that her mother and brother had sacrificed for her growth, and thus she felt compelled to live a full and meaningful life, doing what she desired and spending time with those she cherished, rather than wallowing in self-pity. She also asked Gao Bingzhu to consider what else his "borrowed life" could be used for besides revenge. Baili Hongyi located Kang Zhanbi’s body and quickly determined he had died from Shachi Venom.
Manager Qin of the inn, recognizing Baili Hongyi, rushed over, eager for Baili to try his establishment’s dishes and give a "satisfactory" rating. Baili Hongyi used the opportunity to inquire about Kang Zhanbi. Manager Qin explained the inn’s policy: if a guest died unexpectedly, the inn would house the body until relatives claimed it. He added that no one had inquired about Kang Zhanbi in two days. Baili Hongyi decided to stay the night in Kang Zhanbi’s former room.
Back at the Interior Guard Services, Wu Siyue found Li Beiqi kneeling as punishment for illegally detaining Baili Hongyi. Li Beiqi informed her that Wu Youjue had released Baili Hongyi. Wu Siyue intervened, accepting responsibility, and then instructed Li Beiqi to go to Ji Shan Fang to retrieve Yao Niang’s body and notify the Grand Court to seal the casino.
Meanwhile, at the inn, Baili Hongyi wrote "Satisfactory" on a wooden plate after tasting the dishes, instructing Manager Qin to take it to the Baili Mansion for payment. Manager Qin was overjoyed. When an inn worker arrived at the Baili Mansion with the plate, Shen Fei recognized Baili Hongyi's handwriting but noted it was different from his usual style, causing him concern.
He instructed Yunzhi to pay the worker while he rushed to Guanglin Inn, fearing Baili Hongyi was in trouble. Wu Siyue also arrived at the inn shortly after, having learned the situation and hurried to find Baili Hongyi. In Kang Zhanbi’s room, Baili Hongyi meticulously examined the surroundings. He discovered two left-footed clogs under the bed, leading him to conclude that another person had been staying in the room and had taken one pair of clogs after the incident.
Wu Siyue arrived shortly after, and together they confronted Manager Qin. Manager Qin initially tried to evade their questions, but under Wu Siyue’s sharp interrogation and threats, he admitted that another individual named Kang Jin had been staying with Kang Zhanbi. However, Kang Jin had disappeared and could not be contacted, and Manager Qin had concealed this to avoid trouble.
Wu Siyue deduced that given their rare surname and origin, Kang Zhanbi and Kang Jin were likely from the Sogdian Ke Tribe and had traveled with a caravan. Meanwhile, Gao Bingzhu returned to the Unwelcome Well. He heard phantom voices of his deceased companions, waiting for him to drink, but found their room empty. At his own home, he seemed to hear his mother’s voice urging him to find his sister, A-Tan.
Gao Bingzhu was overcome with grief, recalling the many friends and family members he had lost. As he sat despondently, Mr. Unsightly called out to him. Gao Bingzhu collapsed into Mr. Unsightly’s arms, weeping and releasing all his pent-up sorrow and anger. He regretted leading his companions out of the Unwelcome Well, believing he was responsible for their tragic fates. Mr. Unsightly consoled him, assuring him that he shouldn't bear all the blame.
Gao Bingzhu, after deep reflection, declared his intention to find the mastermind who manipulated Wang Dengcheng and The 16th Night, determined to dismantle their conspiracy. Mr. Unsightly, however, urged him to remain in the Unwelcome Well and avoid further involvement, but Gao Bingzhu’s resolve was unshaken; he asserted that his life still had purpose. Separately, Pei Jian’s men sealed off Ji Shan Fang. The Lady of Autumn learned of The 16th Night’s death.
She dispatched her people to gather information, discovering that Gao Bingzhu had previously sought out The 16th Night and that Baili Hongyi’s meeting at Liubai Building was not with a supervisor from the Ministry of Works, but with a subordinate of Pei Jian from the Grand Court. Furthermore, Wu Siyue was also present that day. The Lady of Autumn concluded that The 16th Night’s death was likely connected to these three individuals.
